The Catholic Union is delighted to announce that this year’s Craigmyle Lecture will be given by Sir Gabriele Finaldi, the Director of the world-renowned National Gallery on Monday 26 October. The lecture will be Chaired by Baroness Hollins, President of the Catholic Union, and sponsored by Stone King, a leading legal practice for the charity, education and faith sectors
Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, says: “Altarpieces and Christian devotional paintings in the National Gallery’s collection were originally designed to be the focuses of liturgy and prayer, in churches, chapels and in the home. The images fixed themselves in the minds of the devout viewers and served to deepen and confirm their faith. But can they still serve these purposes in our time or have they outgrown them and are they now only relics of past ages and half-remembered beliefs? Can historic works of art still address people’s faith today and, more intriguingly perhaps, can works of faith speak to those of no faith?”
The lecture, to take place in the Pigott Theatre at the National Gallery at 6.30pm, will focus on how art can lead us to faith and faith can lead us to art. There will be time for questions and answers followed by a reception, generously sponsored by Stone King.
The Craigmyle Lecture is the Catholic Union’s annual flagship lecture, giving a platform to a prominent public figure to talk about a matter of importance to Christians and wider society in this country. Lord Craigmyle (Donald) was a former President of the Catholic Union after whom the lecture series is named. Some of the previous speakers have been Dame Rachel de Souza, Baroness Hollins, Lord Bird, Professor Tom Shakespeare, Baroness Scotland, Sir James MacMillan, Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, Sir Rocco Forte and Lord Lemos.
Baroness Hollins, President of the Catholic Union, says: “We are extremely grateful to Sir Gabriele for agreeing to give this year’s lecture. Since the Craigmyle Lecture was established, over 25 years ago, it has given a Catholic angle to issues of the day helping to inform lay Catholics. Art and faith are deeply intertwined and it will be fascinating to hear Sir Gabriele elaborate on this, with his incredible knowledge and insights”.
Tickets, at £10 each, will be released by the National Gallery in early July. Please keep an eye on our website.