Speaker: Ian Swankie
4 October 2016
The City of London Corporation has been commissioning and acquiring art for nearly 350 years and now owns a vast and diverse collection. This talk explores the varied display of works in the Guildhall Art Gallery. We will look at paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries as well as the sparkling Victorian collection. The gallery also owns many modern works including a large collection by Matthew Smith. Built on the site of London’s Roman amphitheatre, which is open to the public, the gallery was completely refurbished and re-hung in January 2015
Profile
Ian is a native Londoner, a guide and a lecturer with a special interest in art and architecture. His passion and enthusiasm for the city can be very contagious. He loves showing people around, and giving lectures about subjects which excite him. He sees his role as bringing things to life, and revealing secrets in an entertaining way. His hope is that everyone will learn something new in his lectures and tours. He is an official guide at Tate Modern, Tate Britain, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Guildhall Art Gallery, and a Freeman of the City of London.