Join us in the stunning surroundings of Pennard House for a delicious 2-course lunch prepared using the very best local, seasonal ingredients. After lunch, we’ll be joined by art historian Richard Kay for a lecture about a truly global icon.
Leonardo da Vinci’s `Mona Lisa` is the world’s most famous picture. It has been used to promote everything imaginable from air conditioning to gramophone needles. No larger crowd ever clusters quite so eagerly in front of any other picture in any other gallery anywhere in the world.
This talk looks into the picture’s conception and its history – and it explores two unexpected aspects of its 500-year history that contributed, at least in part, to its remarkable celebrity status. How could a Renaissance portrait enable a scientist to determine that La Gioconda has high cholesterol, deafness and asthma? And why would any scientist bother to find out? Richard Kay will explain all.
This lecture is suitable for all.
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Richard Kay has been an auction house picture specialist since 1987, beginning his career at Sotheby’s after university (where he read Art History). He has worked at Lawrences Auctioneers in Crewkerne since 1999. For thirty years he has much enjoyed contributing articles to magazines as well as giving talks and lectures to groups and societies of all sizes in the West Country and further afield.
Click here to find out more about Richard Kay and his other available courses
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Pennard House is a Grade II listed Manor House with a homely feel. There are grand reception rooms, luxury bedrooms and a converted Coach House event venue ideal for all manners of parties. All set in 4 acres of lush gardens and surrounded by 180 acres of meadows, woodlands and apple orchards. There’s a croquet lawn, tipis in the garden and even a freshwater swimming lake. At Pennard they have the makings for the perfect event in a truly English setting.
There is ample free parking on site.
The postcode is BA4 6TP
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Just an open mind and plenty of enthusiasm!
