The Unicorn through History

You can buy unicorn stationery and clothing, and even turn yourself into a unicorn with glittery makeup and a horned headpiece, but the true unicorn is always a rarity. Tonight's illustrated lecture by art historian Ruth Clydesdale takes us back to medieval myth and artistic renderings to reveal its long and evocative history.  She discusses how the unicorn was understood in these earlier centuries, how it was seen to have magical powers, how its horn had medicinal uses, and how medieval people believed you could catch one.

Ruth Clydesdale is an independent researcher on art, myth and history, whom we welcome back at our invitation. She works on renaissance astrology, mythic themes and artistic representations of pagan figures.