The Art of the Book

This course will look at the art of the book and book illustration from the earliest times to the beginning of the twentieth century. It will examine the evolution of the private library and the advent of the specialist collector, the revolutionary developments in printing techniques which paved the way for new styles of illustration, the launch of the illustrated periodical from the 1840s, the growing market for children’s books and the superbly illustrated gift book of the Edwardian era.

The Beginning of the Book: Origins of Manuscripts before 1200
Michelle Brown, Professor of Medieval Manuscript Studies, University of London

Conventions and Clothes: Illustrative Narrative in the Fifteenth Century
Catherine Reynolds, Visiting Fellow, University of Reading and Consultant to Christie’s

Visit to St. Bride Library to view the archive and collections of printing artefacts with Nigel Roche, Head Librarian

John Evelyn and his Books
Giles Mandelbrote, Curator, British Collections 1501-1800, British Library

The Evolution of the Private Library
Mark Purcell, Libraries Curator, The National Trust

Visit to the John Ritblat Gallery at the British Library with Professor Michelle Brown

A Passion for Maps: George III and his Geographical Collections
Peter Barber, Head of Map Collections, British Library

The Golden Age of Children’s Book Illustration
Emma Laws, Frederick Warne Curator of Children’s Literature,
Victoria & Albert Museum

A Seminar at the British Library to view a wide selection of illustrated  works with John Goldfinch and Alison Bailey, British Library

William Heath Robinson and the Illustrated Gift Book
Geoffrey Beare

Illustrating the Victorian Periodical Press
Brian Maidment, Research Professor in the History of Print, University of Salford

The Light and the Shade: A Historical Outline of Satirical and Humorous Illustration           
Anita O’Brien, Curator, The Cartoon Museum

The cost of the full course is £236. The cost of the morning lectures only (lunch not included) is £136. The lectures will take place at The Medical Society of London,
Lettsom House, 11 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London W1. Each day will begin at 10.30am and finish at about 3.30pm.

To apply, please contact us.