REGISTER HERE April 30, 2026 – Ancient Art and the Origins of Western Portraiture Often created at the cutting edge of artistic practice, portraits dramatize the identities of sitters and artists in complex and paradoxical ways. A portrait, moreover, can easily become a tool for a wider message that transcends the individual it represents. Taking a transhistorical approach to the portrait—and dealing with artworks in a variety of media from the ancient world to the present day—this short course of lectures looks at different ways in which portraiture has been used for purposes that range from memorializing the individual to conveying abstract ideas to enforcing the will of the state. No previous course work in art history is required and no background reading is assigned. Artworks from the collection of Hill-Stead will be emphasized. Each lecture will run about 45 minutes. The sessions will be followed by a Q&A. Tickets Single Lecture: $30 members; $35 non-members Full Course: $180 members; $210 non-members REGISTER HERE Schedule (Spring 2026): (Every other Thursday at 6PM at Hill-Stead) April 30, 2026 – Ancient Art and the Origins of Western Portraiture May 14, 2026 – Varieties of Renaissance Portraiture May 28, 2026 – Caricature as Portraiture June 11, 2026 – Photography and Portraiture June 25, 2026 – Modern Art and Symbolic Portraiture July 9, 2026 – Self-Portraiture
