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10 November 2026'The Dancing Faun': A personal story of a masterpiece
01 December 2026Behind the Smile: the story of the Mona Lisa
12 January 2027Baroque on a Roll: Classical music in the modern media
09 February 2027Bound to Learn – a brief history of Western bookbinding
09 March 2027How to Steal a Million
13 April 2027Celebrating the Centenary of of Winnie-The-Pooh
11 May 2027Bauhaus: Idea and Reality
08 June 2027Two Glasgow Boys: George Henry and Edward Atkinson Hornel

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'The Dancing Faun': A personal story of a masterpiece Bertie Pearce Tuesday 10 November 2026

In this lecture Bertie recounts the extraordinary tale of how a small bronze statue, which had sat in his Grandfather’s garden for 40 years, was discovered as a master piece and ended up in the Getty Museum, California. Adriaen De Vries (c.1556-1626) was a Northern Mannerist sculptor born in the Netherlands. A technical virtuoso, he created spectacular bronzes for the most discerning patrons of his time, including the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II of Prague.He excelled in refined modelling and bronze casting and in the manipulation of patina and became the most famous European sculptor of his generation.
Bertie will be be performing a Magic Show for local families in the afternoon.


Bertie Pearce has a BA (Hons) in Drama from Manchester University, and a Diploma Internationale from the École Internationale du Théatre, Jacques Lecoq. A member of the Inner Magic Circle, with Gold Star. Past experience includes lecturing and performing on cruise ships, and to U3A, historical societies, festivals, schools and colleges. In addition, has toured the world with a magic cabaret show and a one man show entitled All Aboard. Has written articles for newspapers and magazines on entertainment and theatre.