The Art of Laughter

Comedy in Dutch Golden Age Painting: Comical paintings were abundant in the Dutch Golden Age, with genre scenes depicting people and animals misbehaving, being silly, naughty and laughing out loud. Some of these paintings illustrated common sayings, while others served as moral lessons. Yet they also emerged alongside a belief among 17th-century doctors that laughing was good for your health. Join Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff as she explores this playful and surprising corner of Dutch art history. About the presenter : Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff read Social Psychology at the University of Amsterdam before turning to her true love, the Arts, completing her BA and MA in Art History with a focus on Dutch Baroque Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. After lecturing at college level, she founded Art Historical London, offering lectures, museum visits, courses, tours and events from Amsterdam, London and New York, and online since 2020. A fully accredited PTLLS lecturer, she also teaches on the public programme at Dulwich Picture Gallery and for the New York Adventure Club.