Music & Art: Sounding Presence: John Blanke and the Power of Music

Music & Art: Sounding Presence: John Blanke and the Power of Music

By Foundling Museum

Lecture series exploring the intersection between music and the visual arts held as part of the Foundling Museum's exhibition programming.

Date and time

Location

Foundling Museum

40 Brunswick Square London WC1N 1AZ United Kingdom

Good to know

Highlights

  • 1 hour
  • In person

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

About this event

In this lecture we will explore the life of John Blanke, the Black trumpeter at the Tudor court, and how music gave him status, visibility, and voice.

Through The John Blanke Project, Michael will show how art and imagination brings the past to life—revealing a long, rich history of Black presence woven into the fabric of British cultural life.

Lecturer: Michael Ohajuru

This lecture will serve as an introduction to the topic, and no prior knowledge is necessary to join us!

This lecture is part of the public programming for our new exhibition, A Grand Chorus: The Power of Music.

This lecture will last an hour. Tickets are available to watch the lecture either ONLINE or IN-PERSON at the Foundling Museum; in-person tickets include Museum entry. The online recording will be available to watch for 1 month.

Other lectures in this series:

  • 24/10/25 Music and the German Expressionists, with Ailsa McTernan
  • 16/01/26 The Symbolism of Music in Dutch Genre Painting, with Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff
  • 27/02/25 Klimt and Beethoven: Artistic Rebellion in Fin de Siècle Vienna

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Organized by

Foundling Museum

We present the story of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and public art gallery. Founded in 1739 by the campaigner Thomas Coram, it was an innovative home for children whose mothers couldn’t care for them, supported by some of the leading artists of the day including William Hogarth, George Frideric Handel and Charles Dickens. Their compassion and generosity show that art transforms lives.

Inspired by our 300-year history of social change, today we work with outstanding contemporary artists, writers and musicians to deliver ambitious projects for young people and marginalised groups. With a focus on local communities, early years and care-experienced young people, our pioneering work delivers positive and lasting outcomes.

Across the four floors of the Museum we present this relevant historic story through our art and objects. Discover objects and records from the original Foundling Hospital, extraordinary works of art and furnishings, thought-provoking exhibitions plus a programme of events including concerts, talks and children’s workshops.

Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, you can visit us Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 11am-5pm. Plus, we’re free for age 21 and under.

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£6 – £19.94
Dec 5 · 3:00 PM GMT