Led by regional historian Hayden Mathews, step into a world of elegance and holiday splendor in a journey through the historic Brandywine Valley, where the legacy of the du Pont family comes to life in grand estates filled with seasonal displays. Spanning Pennsylvania and Delaware, the region is home to some of the most opulent mansions and gardens in the country, each with a connection to the du Pont family, who shaped the cultural and economic landscape of the region and created a heritage of architecture, art, and horticulture.
Ages 5 to 10. Celebrate the holiday season with traditions from around the world.
During the early years of the Great Depression, Americans experienced economic decline on a scale that was without precedent in the nation’s history. Historian Edward O’Donnell explores the causes and impact of this era in an examination of the key aspects of President Roosevelt’s New Deal, including the philosophical and political ideas behind it.
In 1734, the Duke of Parma (and soon-to-be King of Naples) had most of the extensive art collection established by his family moved from Parma to Naples. Filippo Borbone, who became Duke of Parma in 1748, was determined to hold on to what works were left. The collection eventually would become the National Gallery of Parma. Italian Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero delves into the museum’s artworks, including important pieces by Correggio as well as La Scapigliata by da Vinci. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
The artistic ideals of James Abbott McNeill Whistler were informed by the Aesthetic movement and its emphasis on refinement, subtlety, and belief in the autonomy of art. His admiration for Asian art prompted experimentation with abstract color and composition. He also created visual arrangements and color harmonies that correspond to those in music. Art historian Aneta Georgievska Shine looks at how these ideals were expressed in Whistler’s works. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Humphrey Bogart and Burt Lancaster became Hollywood legends in very different ways. “Bogie” was shoved around by the old studio system, playing tough guys who often hid a softer core. Lancaster rose as stars gained more freedom, dazzling audiences with quiet intensity and magnetic charm. In a 2-session series, film historian Max Alvarez examines their cinematic achievements and the personal and professional turbulence that shaped their artistry. This session focuses on Burt Lancaster.
As the Mexican Revolution drew to a close in 1920, Mexico’s new democratic government commissioned public murals depicting what the nation could look like. They were painted by many artists, most notably José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Soon works by the three artists and others influenced by them appeared outside Mexico, too. Using the imagery and influences of works painted by Orozco, Siqueiros, and Rivera in the U.S., Walters Art Museum curator Ellen Hoobler explores how the ancient Americas and modern politics intertwined in 1930s and ‘40s public murals in the United States. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
