• 4 July 2018
  • 12:30 – 2:00 pm
  • Part of Bedford Square Festival
  • Paul Mellon Centre

A lunchtime talk by Jacqueline Riding (Art Historian, Advisor and Author)

The contest between J.M.W. Turner and his sea piece, Helvoetsluys, with John Constable's Opening of Waterloo Bridge apparently occurred during the 1832 annual exhibition at the Royal Academy and, not long after, became fixed in institutional lore. The event was the focus of key scenes within Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner (2014). In this talk Dr Jacqueline Riding, art historical and historical adviser on the film and trustee of Turner’s House, will challenge the traditional interpretation of this famous event as a resounding visual and technical defeat for Constable.

A light lunch is provided.

Image listing: John Constable, The Opening of Waterloo Bridge (‘Whitehall Stairs, June 18th, 1817’), Tate 2018



This event is part of Bedford Square Festival 4 July - 7 July 2018

www.bedfordsquarefestival.co.uk

The aim of the Bedford Square Festival was to promote the culture based around a London Square, sharing this with our neighbours in Bloomsbury and beyond. We wanted to open the doors of the grand facades of the buildings in the Square and celebrate the culture that we pride ourselves on - art, literature, architecture, history, education, and more!

Centrepoint: Bedford Square Festival's Charity Partner
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