Lectures

On Friday October 23, 2009, The Institute will open its ninth season of art lectures by Professor William Fredlund at the Sunnyvale Community Center Theater located at 550 East Remington Drive just off of El Camino in Sunnyvale. During our 2009-2010 season we will discuss four great themes in art: men, women, children and animals. Each evening opens at 6:30 P.M. with an audience-participation reception with wine provided by the Institute. The lecture begins at 7:30 P.M.

Friday, October 23, 2009, "Muscles: the Male Body in European Art" From the earliest days of the European artistic tradition, the male figure - clothed and unclothed - was the most popular subject for painters and sculptors. In October, we will go back to the Greek origins of European art, and see how three thousand years of artistic innovation has altered that original vision.

Friday, January 22, 2010, "Curves: the Female Body in European Art" The interest of artists in the female form has waxed and waned depending on the time and location. In seventeenth-century America, nude women disappeared from painting. In sixteenth-century Venice they were the most popular subject. Think of Titian or Veronese. In January, we will examine the whole story of women in art from Athens to Renoir.

Friday, March 26, 2010, "Giggles: Children in European Art" Children were not an important part of European painting until modern times (with one notable exception). In March, we will enjoy the moment of discovery of children as a new subject in painting and admire the greatest works that include children along with the whole family or those that concentrate exclusively on one adorable munchkin.

Friday, May 21, 2010, "Fur: Animals in European Art" When the Greeks built the Acropolis and decorated the Parthenon with some of the greatest sculpture of all time, one of the most impressive figures was the head of a horse. Animals have been one of the favorite themes of European painting and sculpture and in May we will enjoy the story of dogs and horses and cows and other animals in European art.

The lecture will be presented by Professor William Fredlund at the Sunnyvale Community Center Theater, located at 550 East Remington Drive, just off El Camino in Sunnyvale.

The evening begins at 6:30 PM with an audience-participation reception, with wine provided by the Institute. The lecture begins at 7:30 PM.

Tickets: $25

Enrollment

To enroll, contact the Institute Monday-Friday, 10-6.