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An artwork is often linked to the historic events happening at the time of its creation. Join art historian Matthew Palczynski for this first online lecture in his latest series examining the art of specific decades. In this lecture, we will look at at the 1920s and its cultural developments. The art of the 1920s is inexorably grounded in major developments of the era, such as economics, archaeology, Prohibition and Jazz. Howard Carter finding Tutankhamen’s tomb was big news, and the art and soaring architecture that followed was also “big.” Against the backdrop of a roaring period of economic growth that lasted from 1920 to 1929, painters like Georgia O’Keeffe tried to make sense of all the progress. Meanwhile in Harlem, Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes and Aaron Douglas all used art to come to terms with the seminal words of Alain Locke. The 1920s was an industrious, colorful and (for some) a much-celebrated era.

General Notes

This lecture is the first in a series of four. To attend this full series, please also enroll in the other three lectures. The second is: "Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1940s" (#25153) Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT, the third is: "Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1960s" (#25165) Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT, and the fourth is: "Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1980s" (#25168) Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT. The cost is $25 per lecture. Your online lecture will take place live over the course of 1-2 hours. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly. This live online experience uses Zoom Webinar, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. You will receive a confirmation email when you enroll, and a reminder email one week and one day before, as well as the morning of the event with a link and instructions on how to tune in. You will not be pictured on screen during the lecture, but you will have the opportunity to ask the instructor live questions using the Q&A box. Unless otherwise noted, all those who enroll in this program receive access to the live event as well as a recording of the lecture that you can watch any time within the two weeks following the live event.

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Matthew Palczynski

Matthew Palczynski is an art history lecturer, consultant, curator, and educator. With a Ph.D. in art history and a focus on vanguard art after around 1850, he leads programs for academic, corporate, and nonprofit organizations around the world. His talks include those for Renaissance Weekend, Stanford University, The Wharton School, Cunard, and United Airlines. Matt is an adjunct senior instructor at The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, and has taught at the Tyler School of Art since 2004.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Matthew Palczynski View biography

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Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1920s

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