The wall paintings at Bramall Hall are amongst the most important in the country. The Davenports of Bramall Hall were leading gentry in the county and their house reflects this. Its plan and decoration would have been at the forefront of fashion, to be emulated by those lower down the social scale. Dr. Kathryn Davies will explore how and why these paintings are so important and what they can tell us about the Davenport family.

Kathryn will look at the characteristics of the wall paintings at Bramall and the issues of dating these. Looking at potential sources for design and comparisons with other painted decoration can help us understand something of the social and cultural values of the people who commissioned these paintings. So, what were the Davenports seeking to communicate to the people who would see these wall paintings and who, indeed would be invited to see them?

Copies of Dr. Kathryn Davies fascinating book 'Artisan Art' will be available for purchase at the event. This book is a 'must read' by all who are interested in the social and culture history of the Tudor and Stuart age.

About the speaker

Kathryn Davies is a heritage and planning consultant principally working in the public sector. Currently, she works as a consultant on planning and historic environment issues, including work for Historic England; historic buildings advice; conservation area work, neighbourhood planning and advice on secular wall paintings. She is a visiting fellow at Kellogg College, Oxford. She has a number of publications on her professional and research interests and has lectured on these and related topics.