Vulgar Display of Power: Sculptural Portraiture of Liverpool

Saturday, 10am - 4pm

Start Date

14 June, 2025

Saturday 14 June, 10am - 4pm. 

Overview

Liverpool's first public sculpture, Wyatt & Westmacott's 'Nelson Monument', was erected at great expense and unveiled to the assembled Liverpool 'masses' in 1813. A symbol of Britain's maritime triumph and Liverpool's appreciation of Nelson's mortal sacrifice, it also happened to honour a bonafide Freeman of the Port. This workshop explores the stories and contexts of Liverpool's public statuary in order to glean insights into the reasons why so many white, middle-class men in particular - the power structures and dynamics of thereof - are honoured in this way, and what this means for public statuary going forward. Designed to appeal to anyone with an interest in Liverpool history, art, sculpture, social history, monarchy and politics, this session includes a city walk to finish. 

Syllabus

    10-11: Hanoverian Liverpool - Nelson, Canning & King George III
    11-12:15: Victorian Liverpool - Wellington, Disraeli, Gladstone & Queen Victoria
    12:15-1: LUNCH
    1-2: 20th Century Liverpool - Florence Nightingale, WWI & The Beatles
    2-4: CITY WALKING TOUR FEATURING...   Equestrian Statue of King George III (1822), Wellington's Column (1862-65), Statue of the Earl of Beaconsfield (1883), St. Johns' Gardens (Gladstone etc), Mathew Street (Beatles etc), Nelson Monument (1805-1813) finish at Exchange Flags

    Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier if courses are over- or under-subscribed. In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm. 

    Course Lecturer: Dr Lee Kendall

    Dr. Lee R. Kendall was born in Liverpool in 1974 and earned his BA (Hons) in History of Art at University of Leicester in 1997 before going on to complete a PhD in the same subject at Liverpool John Moores University in 2006. An independent art historian with a particular interest in all things Liverpool related, his publications include “Being for the Benefit of… Beatles Art in Liverpool” (2012). He has been part of the
    front of house team at Tate Gallery, Liverpool since 2009 and has lectured for the University of Liverpool's CE Department since 2019.

    Courses fees: Full fee £55

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