London History Day Talk: The Suffering Soldier: Depictions of Courage in Eighteenth-Century British Art

London History Day
Celebrates Courage

A special lecture given by the Director of the Centre, Professor Mark Hallett.

This hour-long lecture will focus on a few especially powerful examples of eighteenth-century British art to explore the ways in which artists dealt with, and depicted, the subject of courage. Mark Hallett, a leading authority on art in the Georgian period, will concentrate in particular on images of the heroic, tragic and pitiful soldier, produced by artists as varied as John Singleton Copley, Benjamin West and Joseph Wright of Derby. Doing so will reveal the very different ways in which courage could be conceptualised and represented during a century in which Britain was regularly at war.

Individuals attending the talk will also have the opportunity to register to use the Centre’s Research Collections (Library and Archive). Group registration sessions – which will include a brief induction to the Centre’s holdings, an explanation of the practicalities involved in using the Collections, and the opportunity to complete the Reader Registration Form – Please sign up in advance, inductions will be held from 12.00-12.15 and 14.00-14.15.

This is a free talk and a light lunch is provided.

More about London History Day

London History Day is back and it’s bigger and better than ever. On Thursday 31 May 2018, more than 70 of London’s museums, galleries and cultural spaces will open their doors to reveal special behind the scenes tours, rarely seen exhibits and one off events, celebrating the capital’s unique identity.

2018 is the year of courage, with many special events for London History Day touching on the pioneering spirit, heroism, initiative and kindness layered in our history.

London History Day is organised by Historic England.

Plan your #LondonHistoryDay at HistoricEngland.org.uk/LondonHistoryDay

About Historic England

Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops.

Historicengland.org.uk

Image credit: John Singleton Copley 1738-1815, The Death of Major Peirson, 6 January 1781 (1783) © Tate, London 2018