This unique lecture presents the Top 20 most popular paintings and other artworks in Britain today. In putting this talk together, the results of eight polls carried out from 2005 to 2020 have been aggregated and analysed.

The polls began with Radio 4’s poll of its listeners from 2005 and include the Samsung/Daily Mirror poll of 2017 when buyers of Samsung products and readers of the tabloid were asked for their favourite artworks.

There will be a brief description of some of the paintings that did not make it into the Top 20; followed by a ‘Pick-of-the-Pops’ style countdown of the Top 20. Be prepared to hear about some old favourites, but also be ready to welcome some new ones. (Can you guess?) Prior to the lecture, individual members of the audience

will be asked to name their favourite paintings in the UK today. Towards the end of the lecture, audience members will see how their favourites compared to the results from the polls. In the last 15 minutes, the factors that make a painting popular, or not, will be discussed. Without giving too much away, popularity does not solely rely on the quality of the painting or the status of the artist. As well as being unique, the lecture is engaging, full of interest and a few surprises. It is hoped to build up a picture of local art societies’ favourite paintings, with a view to sharing results widely.