The fascinating, colourful Victorian narrative and figurative paintings tell us much more than the main picture and are full of symbolism and meaning, exposing other features hardly noticed: revealing massive social, economic and cultural changes, turmoil and emotions.

We study later Victorian artists who wanted to show domestic scenes and ‘real life’ and were not afraid of painting controversial subjects which might shock the public. Paintings, such as the large William Powell Frith’s Derby Day were so popular when they were shown that a rail was needed to stop the public from getting too close to the pictures and damaging them.

Domestic scenes showed interiors of everyday life which appealed to the public. Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell chose to use fiction to expose social conditions in a way that fired the reader’s interest and enabled them to become aware and to discuss, maybe act. Artists attempted to expose conditions by painting them realistically rather than making the subjects beautiful. Some took a moral stance, and the fallen woman was a popular subject.
Illustrated with masses of Victorian paintings on powerpoint slidehows.

Tea and coffee available in kitchen throughout day. Bring a packed lunch.

Price includes tea, coffee, biscuits and cake

Formerly an Associate Tutor for CCE at the University of Sussex, Sarah Tobias is an experienced and sympathetic adult education tutor who started her teaching career 26 years ago at Rottingdean Whiteway Centre. She has a Diploma in European Humanities; BA Hons in History and European Humanities; Master’s Degree in Histories and Cultures and Certificates in Further Education Teaching. Sarah is a social, cultural and local historian and an established, experienced university lecturer, college tutor, public speaker (over 30 subjects), tour guide and writer. She is also an occasional dramatic narrator, costumed role player, playwright and filmmaker. https://sarah-tobias.blogspot.com/