Muse: Uncovering the hidden figures behind art history’s masterpieces

Muse tells the true stories of the incredible women who have inspired art history’s masterpieces.

Join Ruth Millington, art historian, critic and writer at Winterbourne House, to hear about the remarkable roles of the women in some of art history’s most well-known works. Ruth will delve into the real-life relationships between models and the artists who immortalised them and highlight the influential and active part muses have played behind the scenes. In doing so, she will deconstruct the stereotype of a passive, powerless model at the mercy of an influential and older artist, arguing instead that muses brought emotional support, intellectual energy and career changing creativity to artists and were active agents behind art history’s masterpieces.

The book Muse: Uncovering the hidden figures behind art history’s masterpieces – will be on sale from the Winterbourne shop and signed copies will be available.

The exhibition ‘Dina Razin; Reclaiming the Muse’ shows portraits of artists’ muses that illustrate the book and is open for viewing during the evening.

Please arrive at 7pm for a 7.15pm start. The talk will be about 45 minutes after which there will be time for questions followed by an opportunity to view Dina Razin’s artworks in the exhibition.

The lecture room and exhibition space are fully accessible. A car park is in front of the house.

This event is part of the Birmingham Civic Society’s ‘Heritage Trail’ project, generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and William A Cadbury Charitable Trust.

More information – Birmingham Civic Society Heritage Trails.

Tickets are £4 for members, and £8 for non-members

Tickets are available via Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/muse-uncovering-the-hidden-figures-behind-art-historys-masterpieces-tickets-431221985567