This lecture explores the symbolic language of Dutch Still Life Paintings. Merchants of the Dutch Golden Age filled their houses with paintings but rejected biblical subjects and Baroque melodrama. Favourite themes were found closer to home: banketje (banquets) and ontbijtjes (breakfasts) celebrate an abundance of both local and imported foodstuffs. Could they warn of the dangers of gluttony and the pleasures of the flesh? if we look closely the pocket-watch, fading bloom or human skull might hint at consciences troubled by such ostentation. Life is fragile and worldly beauty fleeting.

Lynne Gibson has worked as a professional artist specializing in oil painting and etching.

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO ONGOING CONCERNS REGARDING CORONA VIRUS 19 THIS EVENT WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL 2021