7 November

Andalucia conjures orange blossom, flamenco, fountains, patios and decorative plaster work. For nearly 800 years from 711 the Iberian Peninsula was dominated by the Moors.

In many intriguing ways, centuries of Moorish rule are still visible in Andalucia, and are vital to an understanding of the diversity of Spanish culture. 

Seville, Cordoba and Granada became centres of culture, learning, luxury and magnificence. Their history, architecture and paintings are traced as Moorish mastery gradually gave way to Christian Reconquest.

This lecture can also be titled: Three Andalucian Cities – Cordoba, Seville and Granada

Gail is an historian, art historian, and painter. She is passionate about Spain and Spanish topics.  She has been a long-time lecturer for The Arts Society, and before Covid she taught on courses at the V&A, and for Art Pursuits, the National Gallery and the Art Fund.

She has lectured on Cambridge University Summer Schools, the Courtauld Institute Summer Courses, Inscape, and for many arts organisations in Europe.  In the past she led tours to Spain for The Arts Society and Martin Randall Travel.  

Gail lectured in the Prado and Royal Academy of San Fernando in Madrid in the 1980s, and was Deputy Curator of Keats Shelley Memorial House, Rome, before that.  She was once a Christie’s consultant in Illuminated Manuscripts.

In 2015 Gail was awarded the Encomienda de Isabel la Católica (the equivalent of the CBE) by the King of Spain for promoting Spanish culture among British audiences.  She is President of The Arts Society Colchester.