Specialist tour operator, The Cultural Experience has announced the launch of four brand new art focused tours, which document history of how art has been used by autocratic regimes to support their aims and how our subsequent perception of those regimes has been influenced by that art.
Lovers of history and art meet
For lovers of history, art helps to illustrate an understanding of the past and this is an opportunity to learn from a well informed guide.
Accomplished art historian, Jennie Spiers, MA, will be leading these thought-provoking tours to Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Florence. She will examine and re-assesses some of the iconic and lesser known works of art which were produced both during and after the regimes which patronised them and explain the prevailing relationship between power, patronage and propaganda as well as the symbolism, characters, subjects, styles and colours that were selected by the artists themselves.
The first tour visits Florence, 11 – 14 April, departing from London to Pisa and then on to Florence. Over the course of three days, the tour will examine the switch from religious to political patronage of art. The tour price with flights is £995 which includes a stay in a magnificent four star hotel (DBB), expert illustrated lectures, accompanied gallery visits and moderator led discussions.
From 13 – 15 June, The Cultural Experience will be visiting Paris and reviewing The Napoleonic Legend. There will be an opportunity to examine carefully selected paintings to discuss the perception of the Napoleonic era through the use of sponsored art. The Tour price including return tickets via Eurostar is £645 and extra nights are available for £75 pp (B&B).
In August it is the turn of Berlin where a two night trip from 1 – 3 August will look at art under the Third Reich. The tour will look at how art was used as an important propaganda tool by the Nazis. Staying in a four star hotel, guests will enjoy buffet breakfast, three course evening meals together with drinks. All return flights from London, entrance fees and the expert guide are included in the price of £695.
Finishing off this cultural smorgasbord is a two night autumn trip to Madrid which departs from 3 October – 5 October and looks at how Philip 1V maintained power by harnessing Velázquez’s art. There will be two opportunities to visit Prado to view works by Velázquez as well as a trip to El Escorial and the Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Dead). Prices including flights are £725pp.
These weekend tours have been designed so people can extend their visit to the individual cities either before or after the tour allowing them to make the most of their visit. Subject to availability The Cultural Experience can arrange alternative flights and train journeys or add extra nights to the stay at the centrally located four star hotels.
