The Truth is Out There: Modern Art & Cosmic Mystery
Starts 4 March 2026 | 3 weeks
Lecturer - Dr Justine Hopkins
Wednesdays, 5.30pm - 7.30pm | 3 weeks
Starts Monday 4 March 2026
Block booking: £60 for all 3 (guarantee your place) or Single Session: £20
In all cultures and times, mankind has gazed into the sky and wondered. Over the centuries ingenious stories of gods and heroes have given way to scientific experiment and analysis without, paradoxically, lessening the sense of wonder the universe inspires.
Unsurprisingly, therefore, the cosmos, in all its majestic, mysterious glory, has been a favourite subject for artists through the ages - an association celebrated in the RWA’s forthcoming exhibition, Cosmos: The art of observing Space.
As part of the events planned around the exhibition, Justine Hopkins will lead three Art History evening sessions looking at the many different ways in which artists have worked alongside the science of their times to express the inspiration of that which lies beyond the skies we see.
Each evening begins with a half hour tour of the ‘Cosmos’ exhibition, led by Justine and focusing on specific artworks which complement the themes of the evening’s lecture. The three sessions are linked, but each is also complete in itself and can be enjoyed separately.
Participants must be 18 or over.
Lectures:
March 4th: Beautiful, Picturesque and Sublime: Artists and Science in the Age of Reason
[Artists: Joseph Wright of Derby, John Martin, William Blake and J.M.W. Turner]
March 11th: Look within yourself: The Cosmos Romantic and Symbolic
[Artists: Caspar David Friedrich, William Dyce, George Frederic Watts, and Vincent van Gogh]
March 18th: The Truth is Out There: Modern Art and Cosmic Mystery
[Artists: Salvador Dalí, Constantin Brancusi, Paul Nash, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko]
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
- Full refunds (minus an admin fee*) are available if you notify us more than 14 days before the start of your booked course.
- Cancellations made within 14 days of the course date cannot be refunded.
- If you’re unable to attend one of your booked sessions, including if you are unwell on the day, please note that refunds are not available.
We reserve the right to cancel sessions due to unforeseen circumstances up to 48 hours before the class. In this case, all bookings will be refunded in full to the original payment method.
*Admin Fee: £10 for the courses, £5 for the single sessions
Any questions and cancellations, please email: learning@rwa.org.uk
Image Credit: Vincent van Gogh The Starry Night 1889 (MoMA, New York)
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The Truth is Out There: Modern Art & Cosmic Mystery
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Book this 3-week art history evening course with Dr Justine Hopkins exploring how artists respond to science on cosmic mystery.
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The Truth is Out There: Modern Art & Cosmic Mystery
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Book this single session evening lecture with Dr Justine Hopkins exploring Art History on artists and science.
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