| Instructions on Joining | Schedule | Recorded Presentations | Instructor Bio |
WELCOME!
Thank you for registering for the online course, An Explosion of Beauty: The Art, Architecture, and Collections of British Country Houses, Part II!
Nowhere in the world are there so many country houses as in England, matchless for the astonishing variety of their styles and the richness of their collections and furniture.
This quote from the English architectural historian John Harris sums up what many scholars believe is Britain’s greatest and most lasting contribution to world culture: the country house. For centuries the country house held a unique position in English life. Before World War I, the families in these power houses ruled Britain. Not only were their houses the center of productive agricultural estates, their breathtaking interiors were the repositories of jaw-dropping collections of art.
In this three-session online course, Curator of Special Collections and celebrated architectural historian Curt DiCamillo, FRSA will guide you through these stately homes, their interiors, and their world-class art collections. This seminar will span nearly two and a half centuries worth of British decorative arts and style, discussing Palladian, Rococo, Chinoiserie, Neoclassical, Medieval Revival, Chinese and Indian, and more.
This course includes three 90-minutes classes, access to the slides, and a bibliography. You do not need to attend the live sessions to participate in the course. Each class will be recorded and made available to participants until the end of May 2021.
INSTRUCTIONS ON JOINING
To join the live presentation, locate your confirmation or reminder email. Those emails provide a unique “join” link that you will need to click about 5-10 minutes before each live broadcast. Alternatively, you can go to: http://www.gotomeeting.com/training/join-training, enter training ID 130248236, and your email address. You do not need a headset, webcam, or microphone to participate in the seminar.
If you are unable to log on due to technical difficulties or scheduling conflicts, you will be able to watch a recording of the presentation on this course page starting the following day. You will not miss any of the content by participating this way. To learn more about joining the live session and system requirements visit: https://support.logmeininc.com/gototraining
COURSE SCHEDULE
Return to this page often as we post additional resources.
| Course Activity | Dates of Access | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class #1 | ||
| Class #1: Online presentation (live!) | 2/9/2021, 4:00 PM eastern time | Class 1: Palladian (1715–60); Rococo (1730–70); Chinoiserie (1750–65) Instructor: Curt DiCamillo, FRSA |
| Video of Class #1 | 2/10/2021 and after | Watch the first class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #2 | ||
| Class #2: Online presentation (live!) | 2/18/2021, 4:00 PM eastern time | Class 2: Neoclassical (1760–90) Instructor: Curt DiCamillo, FRSA
|
| Video of Class #2 | 2/19/2021 and after | Watch the second class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #3 | ||
| Class #3: Online presentation (live!) | 2/23/2021, 4:00 PM eastern time | Class 3: Medieval Revival (1780–1830); Chinese & Indian (1800–30); Other Revivals (1850s–1980s) Instructor: Curt DiCamillo, FRSA Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #3 | 2/24/2021 and after | Watch the third class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Class 1: Palladian (1715–60); Rococo (1730–70); Chinoiserie (1750–65)
Presented by: Curt DiCamillo, FRSA
Running Time: 1:45:03
Live Broadcast: February 9, 2021
Class 2: Neoclassical (1760–90)
Presented by: Curt DiCamillo, FRSA
Running Time: 1:36:32
Live Broadcast: February 16, 2021
Class 3: Medieval Revival (1780–1830); Chinese & Indian (1800–30); Other Revivals (1850s–1980s)
Presented by: Curt DiCamillo, FRSA
Running Time: 1:34:47
Live Broadcast: February 23, 2021
INSTRUCTOR BIO
 |
Curt DiCamillo, FRSA, Curator of Special Collections Contact:curt.dicamillo@nehgs.org Curt DiCamillo, internationally recognized authority on English country houses and the decorative arts, joined American Ancestors in February 2016 as our first Curator of Special Collections. A longtime member of American Ancestors, Curt has led highly successful heritage tours for us to England and Scotland, lectured extensively in the United States and abroad, and taught classes on British culture and art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Curt was previously Executive Director of The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA. As Curator of Special Collections at American Ancestors, Curt provides strategic direction and expert guidance for organizing and exhibiting our extensive collection of family history-related artifacts and fine art. |
COURSE MATERIALS
Class 1 List of Houses
Class 1 Slides Worksheet
Class 1 Slides (large)
Class 2 List of Houses
Class 2 Slides Worksheet
Class 2 Slides (large)
Class 3 List of Houses
Class 3 Slides Worksheet
Class 3 Slides (large)
OTHER RESOURCES
Suggested Reading List
Curt DiCamillo's Country House Database
Pronunciation Guide
Quick Guide to Peerage and Other Titles
Archived Art & Architectural History Webinars
Historic Houses Website
National Trust Website