Richard Dadd: Beyond Bedlam
Lecture by Joshua White
Linnean Society and Royal Academy of Arts
Coffee · Lecture · Lunch · Exhibition
20th October 2026
Richard Dadd, a Victorian artist, created intricate, otherworldly works that sprang from his extraordinary imagination, memory, past travels, and the scenes and people he observed over his life. A gifted young painter, Dadd trained at the Royal Academy and travelled across Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt seeking inspiration. Shortly after, he developed psychosis and spent the next 42 years in Bethlem and Broadmoor psychiatric hospitals.
Nearly forgotten until the 1970s, Dadd’s work has since inspired writers, musicians, and contemporary artists—from Angela Carter to Cornelia Parker, and even Queen, whose song “The Fairy-Feller’s Masterstroke” references one of his paintings. This exhibition brings together over 60 works, tracing Dadd’s remarkable career.
Joshua White has taught at Christie’s Education for twenty years and has been the Director of a commercial art gallery. He is an art historian, writer and lecturer specialising in modern and contemporary art. Joshua has also recently joined the Arts Society as an accredited lecturer.
The lecture by Joshua White will prepare you for the exhibition so that you can make the most of your time in the gallery and gain the greatest insight into the works. Please join us for lunch afterwards at Il Vicolo.
Order of Events
10.30 Coffee at Linnean Society
11.00 Lecture for Artemisia Members at the Linnean Society
12.30 Lunch at Il Vicolo
14.00 Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House
COSTS
Coffee Complimentary
Lecture £29.00 + (booking fee included)
add Lunch (2 courses, wine and coffee) £52.00 (booking fee included)
Please note you must purchase your own tickets to the exhibition from the Royal Academy of Arts website. This allows you to choose the time you want to enter and to use any discounts or memberships you may have.
If you would like further information please email me on [email protected] or call 01379 871800.
