MENU SPECIAL INTEREST
× Home Our Society Lectures Visits & Tours Special Interest Days News Diary Volunteering Gallery Web Page Links Contact Us


Click here for previous events

 

Thursday, 19 November 2026
Double Dutch: Symbols, Emblems and Double Entendre in Dutch Painting
Lynne Gibson

The merchants of seventeenth century Holland filled their town houses with paintings. A favourite subject was scenes of everyday life: depicting behaviour both good and bad. But these upright Calvinist citizens rejected Catholic Baroque melodrama. They wanted nothing to alarm the in-laws or corrupt the children. Innocent objects hint at adult themes: plucked chickens and lap dogs, lutes and virginals, oysters and artichokes, foot warmers and bed warmers. This is a world of subtle hints and double entendre, spoken through a language of symbols, emblems and motifs. 

Lynne Gibson is now working as a freelance lecturer in the History of Art, originally trained as a fine artist and has taught painting, drawing and printmaking in higher and adult education. She lectured as an art historian for the universities of Sussex and Bristol where she introduced 'Understanding Art' to the Lifelong Learning programme and residential summer schools. She gives talks, lectures and guided tours to a wide range of organisations and institutions including ARCA colleges, the National Trust, Art museums and Art societies. She has worked as a professional artist specialising in oil painting and etching. Solo and group shows have included the RWA, British Museum and the Barbican.

For the booking form click here

Click here for previous events

19 November 2026Double Dutch: Symbols, Emblems and Double Entendre in Dutch Painting

Click on a row and scroll to display more details about the event

Double Dutch: Symbols, Emblems and Double Entendre in Dutch Painting Lynne Gibson Thursday 19 November 2026

The merchants of seventeenth century Holland filled their town houses with paintings. A favourite subject was scenes of everyday life: depicting behaviour both good and bad. But these upright Calvinist citizens rejected Catholic Baroque melodrama. They wanted nothing to alarm the in-laws or corrupt the children. Innocent objects hint at adult themes: plucked chickens and lap dogs, lutes and virginals, oysters and artichokes, foot warmers and bed warmers. This is a world of subtle hints and double entendre, spoken through a language of symbols, emblems and motifs. 

Lynne Gibson is now working as a freelance lecturer in the History of Art, originally trained as a fine artist and has taught painting, drawing and printmaking in higher and adult education. She lectured as an art historian for the universities of Sussex and Bristol where she introduced 'Understanding Art' to the Lifelong Learning programme and residential summer schools. She gives talks, lectures and guided tours to a wide range of organisations and institutions including ARCA colleges, the National Trust, Art museums and Art societies. She has worked as a professional artist specialising in oil painting and etching. Solo and group shows have included the RWA, British Museum and the Barbican.

For the booking form click here