Illustration of the Great Exhibition of 1851

Join us for this lunchtime panel session which will take the story of the two cultures of art and science back 500 years.

We start in Renaissance Italy with art historian Leslie Primo, who introduces us to Leonardo da Vinci and his friends who were merging science and arts in their studies of the natural world. We will then move through the Enlightenment to the Victorian age of innovation and industry that hosted the Great Exhibition of 1851. Take a train down to London in the 1850s and explore the attractions with 1851 Commission archivist Angela Kenny.

Finally, we will bring this story into the 21st century with Professor of Surgical Education and Engagement Science at Imperial College London, Roger Kneebone. Roger leads the Centre for Performance Science which brings together Imperial scientists and Royal College of Music performers and is a strong advocate for collaboration between science and the creative and artistic sectors.

Great Exhibition Road Festival

The Great Exhibition Road Festival is a free annual celebration of curiosity, discovery and exploration. Join us as Exhibition Road is transformed with events and activities from over 20 research and culture organisations around South Kensington including Imperial College London, Royal Commission of 1851, Discover South Kensington, Royal Albert Hall, V&A, Science Museum, Royal College of Music, Natural History Museum and many more.

This event is part of the Festival’s new online events programme, celebrating science and the arts from your home.

Supported by Huawei, Lead Technology Sponsor

See all our upcoming events on the Festival website

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