The Madonna, Fanny Cornforth, The Magdalen, and the Femme Fatale – A talk by Daphne Lawson

Arts Society Steyning talk on women

This talk explores the role of Victorian Women through Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Idealised images of women are seen in stark contrast to the fallen woman epitomised by that daughter of Steyning: Fanny Cornforth.

Fanny’s relationship with Dante Gabriel Rossetti was as his muse and lover and her beauty transformed his art forever. Although he moved on to his Femme Fatale, Janey Morris, Fanny remained his companion until his death.

Daphne Lawson has a BA in Art History from London University and an MA from the University of Canterbury on Degas’s Public and Private Spectacle. Until 2021 she was the full time Art History Lecturer for The Bader International Study Centre, Herstmonceux Castle. There she taught courses and programmes ranging from Greek Sculpture, French Impressionism, European Romanticism and Pre-Raphaelite Painting, through to Contemporary British Art.

Free to members; visitors £10 donation

steyning@theartssociety.org

www.theartssocietysteyning.org.uk