Events

Anthony van Dyck and the Court of Charles I

Portraits. Today we take them for granted, but from the fifth to the fifteenth century - for much of medieval history - discrete portraits of individuals were a rarity, a form reserved for rulers and historic figures. Only in the fifteenth century did European artists, working both north and south of the Alps, once again begin to produce independent portraits of men and women. 

No painter has done more to define an era than Anthony van Dyck. His portraits of King Charles I, Queen Henrietta Maria, and the courtiers who surrounded them are images of regal majesty, gilded youth, and feminine beauty. Charles I's patronage of the Flemish painter created a revolution in British portrait painting whose reverberations continued to be felt well into the 20th century. Join Timken Docent Elinor Merl for virtual talks about portraits in the Timken collection. 

This lecture series celebrates portraiture, taking a look at the works of Bartolomeo Veneto in 16th-century Italy, Anthony van Dyck in 17th-century Britain, and John Singleton Copley in 18th-century America. 

Timken Docent Elinor Merl grew up in New York City where she took advantage of the art museums and other cultural institutions the city has to offer. Upon moving to San Diego fifteen years ago, she became actively involved with the Timken and Mingei museums where she trained as a Docent. Elinor loves conveying her joy in art to guests of our museums, developing tours that bring the art ’to life' for the visitors. Elinor spends her other time attending concerts, traveling, and doing various volunteer work, including Meals on Wheels, counseling the elderly about their Medicare options, and tutoring grade school children with their reading skills.