Gainsborough Fine Arts Society learn about the Queen of Sheba

Louise Schofield, an archeologist and former British Museum curator, presented an exceptional lecture to a very full house of members of the Gainsborough and District Decorative and Fine Arts Society at the Trinity Centre this month on the legend of the Queen of Sheba.
Speaker Louise Schofield and chairman Mike JonesSpeaker Louise Schofield and chairman Mike Jones
Speaker Louise Schofield and chairman Mike Jones

Louise works for six months of the year in the north of Ethiopia camping with her excavating team far away from any infrastructure and she described how easy it was to imagine the Queen arriving on a camel, overseeing slaves and elephants dragging rocks from her mines of gold high on the Gheralta plateau.

Sheba was undoubtedly a powerful incense-trading kingdom that prospered through trade with the Roman Empire.

Although little is known about her, the Queen’s image has inspired medieval Christian mystical works, as well as Dutch, English, Persian, Turkish artists over the years, Handel’s oratorio Solomon and many Hollywood movies.

The story told by Louise with her interesting slides is still heard across Africa and Arabia and whether fact or fiction is a very infectious one.

The next date for the Society is on Thursday 3rd April when Elizabeth Gordon will speak on The Viennese Secession, Klimt, Schiele and Otto Wagner, with music by Mahler and Schoenburg.

Lunch is bookable with Rachel by the preceding Monday on 01427 838780.

Visitors are welcome for a £5 entrance fee.