Blacker, Beasts & The Bestiary

Readers who knew Thetis Blacker will be delighted by this inaugural memorial lecture held at the Temenos Academy, of which Thetis was a fellow. As well as recalling experiences with Thetis herself including drinking a glass of rose wine at 10 in the morning when she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer – 'I'm going to die very soon, so let's live right now!' The lecture is beautifully illustrated not only with examples of Thetis' own art, but also illustrations from an adventurous journey to Socotra partly in search of St Antony (she also visited his monastery), whose writings are quoted along with those of Abbot Suger. It is a vivid and exhilarating account, echoing the spirit of Thetis herself.