Haughton International Seminar

Treasures: Creation, Emulation & Imitation

Wednesday, 25th and Thursday, 26th June 2025

At The British Academy, 10 - 11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH

From the earliest cave painters to the stars of today, artists have balanced invention with imitation. Imitation looks to nature - the human form or the shape of a flower - but artists also imitate each other. In some cases imitation is loose and a point of departure; in others it is exact but made as honest copies; and in yet others it is done to impersonate and to deceive. This seminar looks at a wide range of media from the Middle Ages to the 19th century including art treasures, the 18th century 'Porcelain Fever' of Augustus the Strong, the 19th century Arts & Crafts movement, royal sculptural collections and more, and will explore to what extent the works were creations, emulations or imitations.

Please visit the videos and articles section of the website to view copies of lectures given at past seminars.

Detail of an armour in the ‘Landsknecht’ style, made by Kolman Helmschmid, Augsburg, c. 1525. The Metropolitan Msueum of Art, New York, inv. no. 24.179; 26.188.1, .2; 29.158.363a, b.

Cost of the two day seminar: £130 (inc VAT)

Cost of the two day seminar including champagne reception and dinner at The Athenaeum (Wednesday 25th June): £195 (inc VAT)

Student tickets for two day seminar (on production of ID): £60 (inc VAT)

Booking in advance through the website is essential due to limited numbers.  Box Office will open on 31th January at 3pm (GMT).

The British Academy, 10 - 11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH

{10-11} Carlton House Terrace, home to The British Academy, is a spectacular Grade I listed Georgian Townhouse located in the heart of Westminster.

Sponsors

TEN TEN FOUNDATION INC.