The bed has been the subject of multiple explorations in art, representing an ambiguous realm between something personal, intimate, and yet common to all. Most often associated with passion, throughout history the bed has also been linked to childhood, death, disease and other more unseemly acts.
In this live HENI Talk, made in collaboration with The Arts Society, Dr. Marie-Anne Mancio investigates some of the scintillating examples of 'The Bed in Art', ranging from Renaissance master Titian's stunning Venus d'Urbino, through Manet's illustrious Olympia, which shocked the Paris Salon of 1865, and Tracey Emin's infamous My Bed, a scatological work shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1999, which remains a succès d'scandale and staple of modern art.
Time Period:
Various
Themes:
Dr Marie-Anne Mancio trained as an artist before gaining a PhD in Art and Critical Theory from the University of Sussex. She has lectured in art history for City Lit, Tate Modern, the Course, Art in London, London Art Salon, Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Nth Degree Club and many private art societies; she also runs art history study tours abroad.
20:50
The Bed in Art: From Titian to Emin
Death, sex, birth, childhood. Uncover how the bed has been represented throughout art history.
24:05
Colourful Language: Red, White and Blue
Discover the symbolism, significance and spirituality of the colours red, white and blue throughout the history of art.
7:36
Wen Zhengming’s Wintry Trees: Mourning and Reciprocity
Craig Clunas confronts the mysteries of this 16th century Chinese hanging scroll.
20:50
Death, sex, birth, childhood. Uncover how the bed has been represented throughout art history.
24:05
Discover the symbolism, significance and spirituality of the colours red, white and blue throughout the history of art.
7:36
Craig Clunas confronts the mysteries of this 16th century Chinese hanging scroll.
9:45
Paul Binski describes how the apotheosis of English medieval decoration fell victim to 'hammer happy' religious reformers.
5:20
Martin Gayford presents some of the mysteries behind one of art history’s most recognisable paintings: The Arnolfini Portrait.
4:23
What does an Abstract Expressionist painting look like? Eleanor Nairne unpacks some of the aspects of this divergent movement.