This is a Study morning on 'Napoleon and Josephine' organised by The Arts Society Richmond

Illustrated with many wonderful works of art, we will hear the extraordinary story of the rise of the son of a lawyer in Ajaccio, Corsica, to become emperor of the French and one of the greatest of all military commanders before eventually being defeated and exiled to the island of Saint Helena. The morning also focuses on his first wife, Josephine, who was a leader of fashion and one of the greatest art collectors and gardeners of her time. We'll look at the nature of Napoleon's genius, his strengths and his weaknesses, while also considering his place within history and comparing him with the Duke of Wellington. We'll also see how Josephine, with her devotion to the visual arts and horticulture, provided an excellent counterbalance to the military and legalistic tenor of Napoleon's regime. It is in some ways a very human story, but one which has at its heart one of the most extraordinary men who has ever lived.

Lecture 1 Napoleon.

Lecture 2 Josephine.

How to book this event:

Meeting place - We will meet downstairs in Duke Street Church, Duke Street, Richmond TW9 1DH. Use the door at the side of the church in Quadrant Road. If that door is closed, walk 5 yards further on and go through the archway on the left into the church's private car park.

Meeting time - Please be there from 9.30am in time for a 10am start.

09.30 - Registration

10.00 - 11.00 Our lectures begin

11.00 - 11.30 Break. Coffee and biscuits will be served.

11.30 - 12.45 Second lecture

The cost is £23. You will be emailed a ticket but you do not need to show it on arrival as we will have a list of names. You are most welcome to bring family and friends.

https://StudyMorning2805.eventbrite.co.uk

If you have any questions please contact Val Williams at auntie.val@icloud.com; Mobile 07983 682368 or Tel 020 8546 4050.

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Mr Stephen Duffy

Educated at New College, Oxford, and formerly Senior Curator of the Wallace Collection where he had particular responsibility for exhibitions and nineteenth-century paintings. He has given countless tours of the Collection for visiting groups and many lectures on its art and other related subjects. His latest publication, The Discovery of Paris, is a book on early nineteenth-century watercolour views of Paris by major British artists.