Linda Collins
12 October 2022
Synopsis
The Royal Collection is one of the largest and most widely distributed art collections in the world. Founded by Henry VIII, it reflects the tastes of changing monarchs, some more discerning than others! Charles I appreciated an accomplished painting and expanded the Royal Collection to rival any in Europe; in contrast, it was declared that William IV ‘does not know a decent picture from a window shutter’. Throughout her long reign, Queen Elizabeth II concentrated on the quality of the works and made them more accessible to the public than ever before, a policy likely to be continued by its new guardian, King Charles III. This lecture explores the history and contents of the Collection, a feast of colour and variety.
CV
Linda Collins worked for the Historic Royal Palaces for more than twenty years before becoming a freelance art historian and lecturer. She lectures widely, to the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and Tate Modern, as well as to arts organisations across the world. She is co-author of The Tudors: The Crown, The Dynasty and the Golden Age.