'Fontainebleau' painting in focus at 'Booloominbah'

June 14, 2007

A talk in the Chancellory restaurant in "Booloominbah" at the University of New England tomorrow [Friday 15 June] will examine a sixteenth-century painting by an anonymous artist belonging to the so-called "School of Fontainebleau".

Dr Jane Southwood (French, UNE) will discuss the painting, a reproduction of which hangs in the "Booloominbah Collection" of restaurants. (A detail from the painting is shown here.)

The School of Fontainebleau was a group of painters brought to France by Francis I (king of France from 1515 to 1547) to redecorate his château at Fontainebleau, not far from Paris. Dr Southwood will talk about the connections of the painting reproduced in "Booloominbah" to other works belonging to this school, and the underlying significance of the symbols found in the painting and linked works. She will examine the iconological tradition, and the influence of Petrarchism – i.e., the influence of the writings of the great fourteenth-century Italian poet and scholar Francesco Petrarca on the artwork and literature of the period.

Dr Southwood said she had been delighted to read an article in the inaugural issue of the UNE magazine – The UNE Experience – on Michelle Arens, Manager of the UNE Art Collection, and to see that Ms Arens emphasised the educational importance of the collection. "I have grown progressively aware of how valuable the UNE collection is," she said, "and of its potential to educate. So I was thrilled to hear that my scheduled talk would be consonant with the aims of the Collection Manager."

Dr Southwood's talk is one of a series of events organised by the "Bool Group". Beginning at 5.30 pm and continuing till 7.30 pm, tomorrow's event will include light refreshments (juice, wine and cheese). The cost is $18 per person, and everyone is welcome. Phone Kellie Simpson (at The Booloominbah Collection) on 6773 5174 for bookings.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at June 14, 2007 12:08 PM