Mcr Classical Association presents Dr Caroline Barron (Birkbeck, University of London): '"A dupe to the puffs and tricks of all kinds of dealers!" Fake Latin inscriptions and their Collection in Eighteenth Century England'.
Latin inscriptions were faked throughout the eighteenth century to be sold on the Italian art market to English Grand Tourists, who acquired them believing to be genuine souvenirs of antiquity. This talk explores what kinds of inscriptions were faked, how they were understood by those who collected them, and how they have been identified as forgeries today. By bringing the interests of both Italian forgers and British collectors together, to consider the reciprocal nature of their interaction, this talk questions why epigraphic texts were so susceptible to forgery in this particular period.
We are delighted to host this event at The Portico Library. The Portico Library is a 213-year-old independent subscription library and exhibitions space in Manchester City Centre. Still housed in its original purpose-built venue on Mosley Street, it is now open free to the public six days a week for an eclectic calendar of exhibitions and events, complementing the unique collection of books, archives and illustrations spanning over 450 years.
Refreshments will be available from 5.30, and the talk will run from 6-7pm in the format of a public lecture, followed by discussion with the Mc Classical Association Chair, Dr April Pudsey of Manchester Metropolitan University, and brief Q&A session with the audience. At 7pm there will be opportunity to purchase drinks in the bar and find out more about the work the Mcr Classical Association does to promote Classics and Ancient History in the region: https://www.manchesterca.org.uk/