Members' book club
About
In our first ever Members’ book club, join author Emily Howes and art historian Matthew Morgan in conversation about Emily’s debut novel, 'The Painter's Daughters'.
Emily brings life to Thomas Gainsborough and his daughters Molly and Peggy. As children, they chased butterflies. They also confronted declining mental health and the complex social spaces of their time.
Emily and Matthew will discuss the lives of Peggy and Molly and their relationships to each other and to their father. They will also explore connections to Gainsborough’s paintings of his daughters in the National Gallery’s collection.
Pick up your own copy of 'The Painter's Daughters' and settle in for a stimulating exploration of the painted and written world of the Gainsboroughs.
The late Hilary Mantel, prize-winning author of 'Wolf Hall', said 'The Painter's Daughters' is ‘Beautifully written… I raced through it. A polished performance.’
There will be an opportunity to ask your own questions in a live Q&A.
Speakers
Emily Howes has worked as a storyteller, scriptwriter, director and theatre maker in television, radio and stage for over twenty years. Her short stories have been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, the Bath Short Story Award and the New Scottish Writing Award, and have been published everywhere from the Sunday Express to Simple Things Magazine. Her first novel, 'The Painter's Daughters', won the 2021 Mslexia Novel Competition, which was judged by Dame Hilary Mantel. She is currently working on a second novel, Mrs Dickens.
Dr Matthew Morgan is Museum Director of Turner's House in Twickenham and is an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London. He has worked in the heritage sector for nearly 10 years, including at the Royal Collection and the National Gallery. Prior to that he was a Director at Christie’s. He has taught diverse audiences across the UK as well as making a series of short films which can be seen on YouTube.
The Painter's Daughters
Members' book club
Free for Members
This is an online event, exclusive to Members, hosted on Zoom.
Members, please book your free ticket to access this event. You will receive an E-ticket with instructions on how to access your online events, films and resources via your National Gallery account. Only one ticket can be booked per account.
