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The Reith Lectures

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series.

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The Reith Lectures: Nikolaus Pevsner - The Englishness of English Art: Blake and the Planing Line

1955: Nikolaus Pevsner - The Englishness of English Art

13/11/1955

Blake and the Planing Line

Nikolaus Pevsner - The Englishness of English Art

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Nikolaus Pevsner - The Englishness of English Art, Blake and the Planing Line

Nikolaus Pevsner places the artist William Blake in the context of an English tradition. 

The art historian Nikolaus Pevsner explores the 'Decorated Style' and places the artist William Blake (1757-1827) in the context of a very English tradition. 

This year's Reith lecturer is Dr Nikolaus Pevsner, the German-born British scholar of history of art and architecture, and author of the county guide series, The Buildings of England (1951–74). In this series, Pevsner explores the qualities of art which he regards as particularly English, as illustrated in the works of several English artists, and what they say about the English national character.

Dr Pevsner explores the 'Decorated Style', which seems in every respect to be the opposite of the Perpendicular style which he examined in his previous lecture. Through illustrations ranging from English church architecture from 1290-1350 to the gentle curves of painters such as Gainsborough and Reynolds, Dr Pevsner places the artist William Blake (1757-1827) in the context of a very English tradition. 

The Reith Lectures: Nikolaus Pevsner - The Englishness of English Art

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Historian Nikolaus Pevsner considers some of the defining characteristics of English art.

Art historian Dr Nikolaus Pevsner explores the qualities of art which he regards as particularly English, and what they say about the English national character.

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Blake and the Planing Line

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