Monday 15 September 2025

Through a Glass Darkly
A study of glass through the eyes of the artist 

by Jane Gardiner
 

We explore the way in which artists over the centuries have included transparent glass objects in their paintings, taking huge delight in capturing the shadows and reflections seen within the glass as well as displaying their skill in portraying what lies behind and beyond. Jane's talk will include the remarkable depiction of glass objects in Roman wall-paintings, works by artists such as Titian, Veronese and Caravaggio - where both the Gods of Olympus and the disciples are seen drinking out of fragile Venetian cristallo - and the proliferation of glass drinking vessels in Dutch still-life paintings.

 

Jane Gardiner

Jane has an MA History of Art, University of London. She trained at the V&A and continues to lecture there, and was a Deputy Director of Sotheby's. Jane also lectures for the National Trust, the Art Fund, London University, Buckingham University, l'Institut d'Etudes Superieures des Arts in Paris, a private women's college in Saudi Arabia, on cruise ships and at antiques fairs and interior design conferences in America.

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