Art History Lectures

Catherine brings both an artist’s eye and a knowledge of art historical ideas to her wide range of lectures, having studied both Fine art (Leeds and Canterbury Colleges of Art) and Art History (St. Andrew University).  

Lectures include those focusing on individual artists such as Laura Knight, Henry Scott Tuke, Walter Langley and Charles N. Hemy  to name a few. Catherine also gives lectures on themes in art such as abstraction and naïve art as well as different media including printmaking, sculpture and crafts. Catherine has travelled widely  as a public speaker and has also written lectures on some of the art she has seen on her travels.

Lectures are 1 hour in duration and are available both live on Zoom or recorded online video. When live on Zoom there is time for Questions and Answers at the end of the lecture.


The Poly, Falmouth

Art History Lectures at The Poly, Falmouth

A new series of Art History lectures at The Poly and online.

£13 each or £6 for £65
Tel:  01326 319461


1. Cornwall as Inspiration to Henry Scott Tuke RA (1858-1929)

26 September 2024 6.00pm at the Poly, Falmouth

A survey of one of Falmouth’s most famous artists, Henry Scott Tuke, illustrated by many works from the RCPS Tuke collection.

Cost £12 + £1 Poly fund – Buy tickets from:

https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/3021/henry-scott-tuke-in-cornwall

2. A Sympathetic Eye: Walter Langley’s Depictions of Women and Children

24 October 2024 6.00pm

This talk focuses on Walter Langley’s depictions of women and children in Newlyn, Cornwall in the late 19th century.  

Cost £12 + £1 Poly fund – Buy tickets from:

https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/3022/walter-langley-s-paintings-of-women-children

3. Beyond Newlyn: Before and After Newlyn (1877 -1935)

28 November 2024 6.00pm

This lecture traces the story of the Newlyn school of artists before and after their stay in Cornwall.

Cost £12 + £1 Poly fund – Buy tickets from:

https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/3023/before-after-newlyn-1877-1935

4. Dod Procter née Shaw RA (1892-1972) 

30 January 2025 6.00pm

A talk on the art of Dod Procter née Shaw  RA, a once famous figure and still-life painter based in Newlyn.

Cost £12 + £1 Poly fund – Buy tickets from:

https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/3024/dod-procter-ne-shaw-ra-1892-1972

5. Cornish Art Down Under 1880 – 1980

27 February 2025 6.00pm

This lecture gives a glimpse of some of the many works of art  created in Cornwall that are in the museums of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa

Cost £12 + £1 Poly fund – Buy tickets from:

https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/3026/cornish-art-downunder-1880-1980

6. Hidden Treasures: The Art Collections of St. Ives

27 March 2025 6.00pm

This lecture features the paintings, sculptures and ceramics in the art collection of St. Ives Town Council and other collections in St. Ives.

Cost £12 + £1 Poly fund – Buy tickets from:

https://thepoly.org/whats-on/event/3032/the-art-collections-of-st-ives


Monthly Lectures on Zoom and recorded online video

A series of 6 lectures on Zoom or recorded video. 

October 2024 – April 2025

Thursdays 10.30 – 11.30am 

Cost £13 each 

Book Now for all 6 lectures at £65. 

1. Cornwall as an Inspiration to Henry Scott Tuke RA (1858 – 1929)

3 October 2024 
10.30am on Zoom or recorded online

A survey one of Falmouth’s most famous artists Henry Scott Tuke illustrated with many works from the RCPS Tuke collection.

Cost £13

2. A Sympathetic Eye: Walter Langley’s Depictions of Women and Children

31 October 2024  
10.30am on Zoom or recorded online

This talk focuses on Walter Langley’s depictions of  women and children in Newlyn, Cornwall in the late 19th century.  

Cost £13

3. Beyond Newlyn: Before and After Newlyn (1877 – 1935)

5 December 2024
10.30am on Zoom or recorded online

This lecture traces the story of the Newlyn school of artists before and after their stay in Cornwall.

Cost £13 

4. Dod Procter née Shaw RA (1892-1972) 

6 February 2025 
10.30am on Zoom or recorded online

A talk on the art of Dod Procter née Shaw RA, a once famous figure and still-life painter based in Newlyn.

Cost £13 

5. Cornish Art Down Under 1880 – 1980

6 March 2025 
10.30am on Zoom or recorded online

This lecture gives a glimpse of some of the many works of art  created in Cornwall that are in the museums of  Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Cost £13 

6. Hidden Treasures:  The Art Collections of St. Ives 

3 April 2025 
10.30am on Zoom or recorded online

This lecture features the paintings, sculptures and ceramics in the art collection of St. Ives Town Council and other collections in St. Ives.

Cost £13 


Image credits: Image 1. Sunset in the Harbour, watercolour 1911 H.S.Tuke @RCPS Tuke Collection Image 2. The Fish Wife, watercolour, 1890 by Walter Langley ©The Sheila Hichens Collection, St. Michael’s Mount  Image 3. The Christmas Tree, 1911 by A. Chevalier Tayler, Image 4. Morning, 1926 by Dod Procter ©The Tate, London Image 5. A Haven Beneath the Hill, St Ives c.1908 by Richard Hayley-Lever © National Gallery of Australia Image 6. Nancledra, oil, 1938 by Bernard Ninnes © St. Ives Town Council Image 7. White Ship, watercolour, 1913 by H.S.Tuke ©RCPSTuke Collection Image 8. Old Grace, watercolour by Walter Langley, Image 9. The Cricket Match, 1907 by A. Chevalier Tayler, Image 10. Self Portrait c. 1920 by Dod Procter RA, 11.  Portrait of Frank Bradley, watercolour by William Wainwright ©Christchurch Art gallery, New Zealand Image 12. St. Ives Harbour by John Anthony Park © St. Ives Town Council

More Art History Lectures are available at the Art History Lectures Archive page