Prior to each trip, Artblazing Tours offers a series of complimentary lectures designed to prepare travelers and enhance their understanding of the upcoming journey. These informative sessions are not only available to trip participants but are also open to the general public. Those interested in attending these lectures can register at Lecture Registration. This opportunity allows both actual and armchair travelers alike to delve deeper into the art, culture, and history of the destinations, enriching the overall experience for all attendees.
SPLENDORS OF SICILY: 3-Lecture Series
Join Sevan Melikyan for a captivating 3-part Zoom lecture series exploring Sicily's rich cultural heritage, from Greco-Roman marvels to Caravaggio’s dramatic masterpieces.
Saturdays at 10:30 AM, January 18 – February 8, 2025. $15 per lecture or $35 for the series (save $10).
Lecture 1: Sicily’s Greco-Roman Heritage
Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10:30am
This lecture explores Sicily’s rich Greco-Roman legacy, tracing its history as the world’s most conquered island. Key architectural landmarks include the Temple of Apollo (550 BC), Temple of Zeus (480 BC), Temple of Concordia (440 BC), and Taormina’s ancient theater (300 BC–210 AD). Highlights from Agrigento’s archaeological museum and ancient Greek wine culture add depth. Attendees will gain insights into the evolution of Classical art and architecture, from the Archaic Greek to Roman periods, setting the stage for the series.
Lecture 2: Sicily’s Arab, Byzantine, Norman, and Baroque Heritage
Saturday, January 25, 2025, 10:30am
This lecture examines Sicily’s diverse cultural layers, shaped by Arab, Byzantine, and Norman influences. Highlights include the Palatine Chapel and the cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù, celebrated for their exquisite Byzantine mosaics and richly adorned capitals in Monreale’s cloister. These masterpieces reveal a unique synthesis of artistic traditions. The lecture concludes with an exploration of Sicily’s vibrant Baroque legacy, showcasing iconic structures in Catania and Palermo. Attendees will discover how these eras collectively shaped Sicily’s architectural and cultural identity.
Lecture 3: Caravaggio: A Life in Light and Shadow
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 10:30am
This lecture explores the dramatic life and art of Caravaggio, whose time in Sicily followed his escape from imprisonment and flight from the Knights of Malta. We’ll examine significant works on view, uncovering his revolutionary use of light and realism. The lecture begins with a prologue on Antonello da Messina, whose mastery of oil painting set the stage for the High Renaissance and prefigured Caravaggio’s Baroque innovations. Antonello’s works, housed in museums in Palermo, Siracusa, Cefalù, and Messina, offer a compelling prelude to the Baroque. Concluding the series, this lecture highlights how Sicily, with its breathtaking vistas and cultural treasures stands as a microcosm of Western heritage, inspiring a deeper appreciation of its unparalleled legacy.
This lecture series is in conjunction with a trip to Sicily and Malta scheduled for February, 2025.
NORTHERN SOUL: 5-Lecture Series
Join Sevan Melikyan for a captivating 5-part Zoom lecture series exploring the rich artistic heritage of Belgium and the Netherlands. Dive deep into three pivotal art movements—Early Netherlandish Art, Flemish Baroque Art, and Dutch Golden Age Art—and follow the transformative journey of Vincent Van Gogh. Select Mondays at 2:00 PM, in February and March. $15 per lecture or $60 for the series (save $15).
Lecture 1: Northern Soul – An Artistic Journey through History
Monday, January 27, 2025, 2:00 pm
Embark on an exploration of the rich artistic and cultural heritage of the Low Countries—modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. This lecture sets the stage for our journey by tracing the historical forces that shaped the region, from its medieval prosperity to the artistic zeniths of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Discover how this dynamic history influenced the development of three monumental art movements:
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Early Netherlandish Art, epitomized by Jan van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece (1425–32), a masterpiece of meticulous detail and spiritual depth housed in Ghent's Saint Bavo Cathedral.
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Flemish Baroque Art, with Peter Paul Rubens' dramatic Raising of the Cross (1610), a work of dynamic energy and emotional resonance in Antwerp's Cathedral of Our Lady.
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Dutch Golden Age Art, exemplified by Rembrandt's iconic The Night Watch (1642), a triumph of light, shadow, and civic pride at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum.
Lecture 2: Grand Place to Masterpieces: Exploring Brussels' Artistic Heritage
Monday, February 3, 2025, 2:00 pm
Delve into the rich cultural tapestry of Brussels, a city renowned for its stunning architecture and vibrant history. This lecture begins with a virtual walking tour of the iconic Grand Place and highlights from the City Museum. At the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, we'll encounter Early Netherlandish masterpieces by Robert Campin and Rogier van der Weyden, as well as well-known works by Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder. As a surprising detour, we'll end with Jacques-Louis David's Death of Marat—an important painting that stands apart from our primary focus yet captivates with its drama and historical resonance.
Lecture 3: Bruges: A Medieval Jewel and Its Artistic Treasures
Monday, February 10, 2025, 2:00 pm
Step into Bruges, a perfectly preserved medieval city renowned for its canals, cobblestone streets, and Gothic charm. Our walking tour spans Markt Square, Burg Square, and iconic sites like the Basilica of the Holy Blood, Groeninge Museum, Memling Museum, and the Church of Our Lady. Highlights include Hans Memling's St. Ursula Shrine and Altarpiece of the Two St. Johns, the effigies of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy, and Michelangelo's Madonna and Child—the only work by Michelangelo to leave Italy during his lifetime.
Lecture 4: Rijksmuseum and Mauritshuis: A Journey through Dutch Masterpieces
Monday, March 3, 2025, 2:00 pm
Explore the Rijksmuseum, the premier repository of Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, showcasing works by Frans Hals, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Willem Claesz. Our virtual tour highlights the artistic brilliance of this era. We'll then travel to the Mauritshuis in The Hague, famed for its intimate collection of world-renowned art, to greet Vermeer's iconic Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Lecture 5: Van Gogh: A Life in Color and Turmoil
Monday, March 10, 2025, 2:00 pm
Conclude the series with Vincent Van Gogh, the world-renowned Dutch Post-Impressionist. This lecture traces his life and distinct artistic periods, from his early works to Paris, Arles, Saint-Rémy, and Auvers-sur-Oise. Discover masterpieces housed at Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum, whose existence owes much to Jo van Gogh-Bonger, Vincent's sister-in-law and champion of his legacy. A fitting end to our journey through the artistic heritage of the Low Countries.
This lecture series is in conjunction with a trip to Belgium and the Netherlands scheduled for March 19-29, 2025.
SEVAN MELIKYAN
Melikyan is an independent lecturer with over 60 presentations in his repertoire. He has guided many international art tours since 2018.
Prior to establishing Wired Gallery, Melikyan served as the Marketing Director of the Van Cliburn Foundation for twelve years. He was also formerly represented by William Campbell Gallery in Fort Worth, Texas, where he exhibited his own artwork. Though he no longer paints, his artistic sensibilities continue to inform his curatorial vision and his dedication to sharing his passion for art with the world.
Sevan firmly believes that learning is one of life's most fulfilling and enriching pursuits. He maintains that continuous education nourishes our minds and fosters personal growth, regardless of age. In his view, the combination of art appreciation and European travel serves as an ideal vehicle for achieving these goals, offering a unique blend of cultural immersion, historical insight, and aesthetic exploration. This philosophy underpins Sevan's approach to his work, driving his passion for sharing the transformative power of art with others through his lectures, gallery, and guided tours.