Nicola Moorby will talk about the alleged epic rivalry between the two giants of British art, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable. As unlike in background and temperament as their paintings were in style, these two creative geniuses transformed the art of landscape during the nineteenth century. This lecture sets them head-to-head and examines their ‘signature’ paints and how their differing approaches fared in the competitive arena of the Royal Academy. Nicola will also examine how the two artists overcame the ‘technical challenge’ of sketching from nature before witnessing the final showdown of their respective ‘showstoppers’. But who will ultimately be crowned star painter?

Nicola is an independent art historian and curator, specialising in British art of the nineteenth century. She has published widely, most recently writing Turner and Constable: Art, Life, Landscape, due to be published this March.