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I put the story into art history

New Show at Phoenix Arts Club

The (Art) History  of Afternoon Tea

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea? Join me for an irreverent journey through the difference between high tea and low tea and why the Renaissance artist Carlo Crivelli loved cucumbers so much. Is the humble strawberry, a perennial favourite on any afternoon tea menu, holy or naughty when depicted in artworks? But most importantly, is it jam first or cream first?

Warning: this show may create an irresistible urge to consume an afternoon tea…

About the Phoenix Arts Club
The Phoenix Arts Club is London’s legendary theatrical members’ club hidden beneath The Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End.

Sunday, 7 April at 1pm – tickets on sale soon

art historian showing reverence to Artemisia Gentileschi

High-fiving the extraordinary Artemisia Gentileschi at the National Gallery, October 2020

Have you often thought you’d like to know more about art and art history but never had the time or been too daunted to know where to start?

Welcome to Beyond the Palette where art history and entertainment are gloriously combined. 

Join me and start your voyage into a curious but often laughably familiar world as we delve into the stories, beauty and obscurity of artworks from medieval altarpieces to impressionism, via the renaissance, baroque and rococo. 

Let me take you beyond the palette where artworks, artists, scandals, myths and the simple everyday lives of ordinary people are all woven into accessible, relatable and humorous narratives to make art history as inspiring and exciting for you as it is for me. 

We really enjoyed Wicked Women. You were natural and funny that made it easy to follow the commentary.

Chris and JeanetteVirtual Art Tour

A tour de force... fascinating, funny and memorable, you made the hour fly by.

Diana Isabel Jervis-Read, Fellow of the Royal Society of ArtsGallery Art Tour

That’s just what I want! Where can I find you to learn about art?

I operate a range of gallery art tours at the National Gallery in London, or invite me to come and present an art talk at a venue or occasion of your choice.

If you aren’t local or would prefer to enjoy some exciting art history from the comfort of your sofa, why not book one of my virtual art talks via Zoom?

Looking for something completely different? Commission a bespoke sketch to celebrate a meaningful or well-loved work of art.

If you’d like a taster of what Beyond the Palette has to offer, I have a large back catalogue of videos about art that you can delve into for free on the Free Art Videos page. Many of these videos are complemented by an Elevenses Blog if you prefer to read rather than watch.

To stay in touch and find out what’s new, join the mailing list here, and to read what other people have to say about Beyond the Palette, you can see reviews on the Reviews page of the website and at Trustpilot.

I’d like to see and hear more about Beyond the Palette

Take a look at my promotional video which will give you a taste of what I do and how I do it!