The group were treated to a slide lecture by Eve King on the paintings of Van Dyke on Friday. Eve is one of the country's leading art historians with a lifetime's experience and study to call on.

The group were treated to a slide lecture by Eve King on the paintings of Van Dyke on Friday. Eve is one of the country's leading art historians with a lifetime's experience and study to call on. Born and trained in Holland, Van Dyke moved to Italy then returned to Holland before being brought to England by Thomas Howard, of Arundel, to the Court of King Charles I. Van Dyke was a contemporary of Rubens. He was at King Charles' Court for seven years and produced portraits, all of which flattered the King and his wife, Henrietta Maria Frendi - only one, a triple portrait of the King ever came near to the 'truth'. Much of his work has been lost to us - either acquired by the great galleries round the world or never preserved. Van Dyke also excelled in landscape and also completed some fine paintings depicting mythological figures, but, again, few examples of these are available. His short life - he died at the age of 42, was a full one and he had a reputation for living the high life. Nevertheless, he did marry at the age of 40 and fathered three children. Eve's slides are just a few of her enormous collection accumulated over her working life-time. It would be a tragedy if no way is found to archive them and preserve them for the nation. Eve then opened up the floor for questions. The next meeting is on July 24 and is a work night on the subject of gardens.