Everyday Life in Art

From Jan Steen’s images of rowdy drinkers, to Vermeer’s serene kitchen servants, from Courbet’s politically charged Stonebreakers, to Edward Hopper’s lonely hotel rooms – great masters and minor artists have been painting scenes of everyday life since the 15^th century.

These works document the most intimate of our activities – how we wash, how we prepare food, how we dress and undress, and how we keep warm, as well as scenes of family discord and harmony.

These lectures examine European and American paintings and sculptures from 15^th century to the 21^st century (including a special look at Tracy Emin’s infamous bed!) and looks at how the works document the evolution of daily life and how our homes, habits and manners have changed over time.