Lecture in English by Jennifer Sliwka

Why and when have artists chosen to cast aside the colour spectrum and focus on the visual power of black, white, and all the shades of grey in between? Dr Jennifer Sliwka, co-curator of ‘Monochrome: Painting in Black and White’ (National Gallery London, Museum Kunstpalast Düsseldorf) will present highlights from her exhibition, which explores the 700-year history of painting in black and white, from early religious works made for particular seasons in the liturgical calendar to paintings that emulate sculpture or respond to alternative media such as printmaking, photography and film including works by Ghirlandaio, Dürer, Ingres, van Eyck, Rembrandt, Malevich, Picasso, and Richter.

The Cultural Programme is open to members of the British Institute of Florence. Membership options range from 24 hours to Life. For membership see here.