麻豆社

Dr Janina Ramirez introduces the first in a new series on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in which three great masterworks are examined in minute detail. Recorded in the galleries in which the pictures hold pride of place, Janina is joined by experts who can provide context, biographical background and artistic insight, all combining to decode these masterworks for today's audience.

The series begins at the Courtauld gallery in London with Edouard Manet's 'A bar at the Folies-Berg猫re'. Joining Janina are Professor Griselda Pollock of the University of Leeds and Dr Karen Serres of the Courtauld Institute who explain why the girl at the centre of the picture was more than just a reflection of a moment in Parisian cultural history, and why British Beer plays an important part in the painting. There are also insights into the figures making up the background to the waitress standing at the bar on the upper-floor of the Folies.

Listeners are invited to look the painting up, if they can, on their computer or tablet, with the best webpage being:
http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/collections/paintings/imppostimp/manet/foliesbergere/index.shtml

Producer: Tom Alban.