Monday FILM NIGHT: Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation - Grandeur and Obedience/The Smile of Reason (1969)

On Monday, March 17th, at 6pm in the Rosenthal Lecture Room at the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach’s offices, Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation - Grandeur and Obedience/The Smile of Reason (1969) will be shown.

The showing is FREE to all.  However, only reserved seating is available.  Those who wish to attend must call 561.832.0731, ext. 110 to reserve a seat.  Email responses are not accepted.

Kenneth Clark's eloquent and deeply personal documentary exploring the cultural heritage of the western world was groundbreaking television when first broadcast by the BBC in 1969. The lavish series was hailed as a masterpiece when it was first shown. With its use of exotic locations, and its engaging presenter with his idiosyncratic style, it influenced much of what was to follow. Clark did not just examine 'art', but wanted to reveal the spiritual and humanistic motives behind its creation.

Here Clark examines the Rome of Michelangelo and Bernini, where he tells of the Catholic Church's fight against the Protestant north - the Counter-Reformation - and the Church's new splendor symbolized by the architectural glory of St. Peter’s. Clark then moves to the Age of Enlightenment, tracing it from the polite conversations of the elegant Parisian salons of the 18th century to subsequent revolutionary politics, the great European palaces of Blenheim and Versailles, and finally Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

Time called it “the most distinguished cultural series” and Terry Teachout in The Wall Street Journal said “the day that PBS replays Civilisation in prime time is the day I'll breathe a little easier about the prospects for the preservation of the art that Kenneth Clark championed so eloquently - and unapologetically.”

The Foundation’s Executive Director Alexander C. Ives will present a short introduction, linking the film with the causes and work of the Preservation Foundation.
  
The showing will begin at 6pm.
  
Please note, doors lock at 6:15pm.

Refreshments will be provided.
  
As with all events, the Preservation Foundation expects attendees to act respectfully.  We reserve the right to turn away anyone.