PAST MATTERS

Society of Antiquaries, London

We are thrilled to annouce that this Autumn we will be collaborating with the Society of Antiquaries on their PAST MATTERS fundraising project. Having successfully secured a 999 lease on their premises at Burlington House, the Society of Antiquaries is now raising funds to help plan the development of their building so that it can adequately serve them and the public in the future.

SALE OF HISTORICAL ENGRAVINGS

From 21st October we will be exhibiting and offering for sale a selection of engravings owned by the Antiquaries. The prints were pulled in the late eighteenth century from earlier, original plates made by George Vertue F.S.A. (1684-1756). These beautiful impressions – for the most part historical portraits – were pulled to be sold to Fellows; an enterprise that both raised funds for the society and satisfied the antiquarian interests of its membership. It is hoped that resuming this project, after more than 200 years, will help fund the Antiquaries’ current development plans.

Works will be available from 21st October via our website and at 30 Museum Street, where they will also be on view.

DRAWN TO DISCOVERY

An evening
at the Society of Antiquaries

Thursday 6th November 5-8pm

Join us for a evening reception at the Society of Antiquaries with an exclusive tour of some of their remarkable and rarely seen treasures.
The event includes a drinks reception throughout the evening and there are hourly spotlight talks in the Library at 5:30pm, 6:30pm and 7:30pm.

From its earliest days, the Society commissioned leading artists to create precise visual records for scholarly use and publication. These include works by George Vertue, Charles Stothard, William Blake, Thomas Girtin, and the Smirke brothers. The collection—nationally significant in scope—documents antiquities, buildings, and landscapes from Britain and beyond. Highlights include drawings of Westminster Abbey attributed to a young William Blake, Smirke’s renderings of St. Stephen’s Chapel, and Pietro Fabris’ vivid views of Pompeii.

The collection is also of great art historical importance as the Society acquired portraits, satirical prints, and Indian drawings that are comparable to the collections of the major British museums.

The evening will include a drinks reception hosted by Dominic Wallis (Head of Development) and a tour of highlights of the Society’s treasures in their beautiful Library with Chiara Bett (Curatorial Research Assistant) and her colleagues.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS!