The Georgian period gave us many of Britain’s most beautiful buildings – in cities, towns and villages. Yet much of our Georgian inheritance remains in danger...

£15

Osterley Park is inextricably linked to the name of Robert Adam. Little of what the public sees at the house today is untouched in some way by his invention. Yet none of this would have been possible without the banking and trade fortune that his clients, the Child family, had begun to establish over a century before Adam completed his works at Osterley. This lecture explores the works of European and Asian fine and decorative arts which the Childs collected as they worked their way to the forefront of the banking business during the throes of England’s Financial Revolution and its aftermath. Many of these works eventually came to Osterley where a proportion of them have remained to the present, or have recently returned. Focussing in particular on the Childs’ paintings, this lecture describes the networks by which they secured their prized items. It also considers what those treasures said about their possessors in a period of significant transformation, both for the Childs and for the nation in whose financial affairs they were intricately involved

John Chu is Assistant Curator of Picture and Sculpture for the National Trust.

Doors open 6.15pm, talk starts 6.30pm (inc. wine). All welcome

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking

£15

Dr Thomas Almeroth-Williams (University of York) offers a panoramic new perspective on Georgian London by following in the hoof and paw prints of the city’s horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and dogs. By placing these animals centre stage, he will challenge long-held assumptions about Georgian London. Was the capital really only a bit player in the Industrial Revolution? Was the city agriculturally unproductive? Did sociability drive recreation unchallenged? Tom will answer these questions as part of a whistle-stop tour ranging from West End mews to East End industrial yards. Copies of Tom’s book, City of Beasts, will be available to purchase at a special reduced rate on the evening.

Thomas Almeroth-Williams is a Research Associate at the Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies, as well as a Communications Manager for the University of Cambridge. He has previously worked for The National Gallery, Historic Royal Palaces and SAVE Britain’s Heritage

Doors open 6.15pm, talk starts 6.30pm (inc. wine). All welcome

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking

(Photo credit Yale Center for British Art)

£5

Deck the halls! Join us for some festive fun!

The YG committee warmly invites you to our Christmas Party which will take place at 6 Fitzroy Square on Monday 2nd December.

This invitation is open to both current Young Georgians and potential new members, so do bring along anyone that might like to join!

Wine and nibbles will be provided.