General Society Fall Lectures Series Commence on September 9th
Tuesday, October 15th at 6.30 p.m., The Marriage of Photography and Architecture with Art Historian, Sharon Suchma
Art historian, Sharon Suchma, PhD, will explore The Marriage of Photography and Architecture. Since the birth of photography in the 19th Century, architecture has been a constant subject and well-suited partner. This talk will look at some examples of how images of human-made structures reveal more than just the structures themselves, representing exploration, construction, social conditions, lifestyle, and art movements. (Please note this lecture was rescheduled from October 8th to October 15th.) To register, please click here.
Tuesday, October 22ndat 6:30 p.m, New York’s Original Penn Station: The Rise and Tragic Fall of an American Landmark with writer Paul Kaplan
Mr. Kaplan will recount the trials and triumphs of New York’s Original Penn Station: The Rise and Tragic Fall of an American Landmark. For decades, Penn Station was a center of elegance and pride in New York City. In the mid-1960s, the station was tragically destroyed. The loss inspired the birth of preservation laws in the city that would save other landmarks like Grand Central. The Original Penn Station will be available for purchase. Please note this event is now sold out.
Tuesday, October 29that 6:30 p.m, Codex New York: Typologies of the City with photographer, Stanley Greenberg
Codex New York: Typologies of the City is the latest book on explorations and observances about New York City by noted urban photographer Stanley Greenberg. In conversation with Elizabeth Goldstein, President of the Municipal Art Society New York, Mr. Greenberg will discuss his book, for which the photographer undertook a walk of every block in Manhattan documenting, through his lens, those urban infrastructural features that lay hidden in plain view. Codex New York will be available for purchase.
Tuesday, November 19th at 6.30 pm, The Central Park: Original Designs for New York’s Greatest Treasure with Cynthia S. Brenwall, Conservator and Art Historian, New York City Municipal Archives
Drawing on the unparalleled collection of original designs for Central Park in the New York City Municipal Archives, Cynthia Brenwall will tell the story of the creation of New York’s great public park, from its conception to its completion. Her talk will be based on her recently published book, The Central Park: Original Designs for New York’s Greatest Treasure. The material in this magnificent book ranges from the original winning competition entry; to meticulously detailed maps; to plans and elevations of buildings; to intricate engineering drawings of infrastructure elements; and describes how once it opened, Central Park became an amenity to be enjoyed by all citydwellers, whatever their station in life. The Central Park: Original Designs for New York’s Greatest Treasure will be available for purchase. To register, please click here.
Tuesday, November 26th at 6.30pm, Baroque Virtuosity with Kinga Augustyn, Christopher Morrongiello, Rebecca Pechefsky and Lukas Wronski
A musical evening with a program of virtuosic works by European composers spanning close to 200 years, from the very early Baroque music of Diomese Cate to the late Baroque/Early Classical period music of Antonio Soler. The evening will include a short talk by violin maker Lukas Wronski on the history of string making. Featuring Kinga Augustyn on Baroque Violin; Christopher Morrongiello, Archlute, Baroque Guitar and Lute; and Rebecca Pechefsky, Harpsichord. This concert is a part of the XXI Chopin & Friends International Festival, please click here for more information on the festival. To register, please click here.
Tuesday, December 3rd at 6.30pm, Hammer & Homework/Auction and Education: the Impact of Connoisseurship and Provenance on the Valuation of Works of Art with Ann-Marie Richard, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Director, MA Fine and Decorative Art and Design.
Ann-Marie Richard will discuss how the intersection of connoisseurship, conservation and provenance impacts the value of collections within the categories of fine art, decorative arts and design. Ms. Richard will also briefly describe the history of the Institute of Art program and what her role entails. The institute began as a small connoisseurship program at Sotheby’s in 1969, borne out of necessity to train auction house specialists. The institute has now evolved to be at the vanguard of art professional business education and object based learning. To register, please click here.
The Lectures start at 6:30 pm in The General Society Library, 20 West 44th Street, New York City. Reception to follow.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
