Scandal meets artistry: See how 18th-century rebels defied rules and became the first viral icons.

Step Into the Shadows: Women of Ill Repute

The Arts Society Henley resumes its thrilling lecture season with an alluring dip into historical scandal, gender politics, and creative rebellion. Dr. Mancio is celebrated across the national Arts Society network for her lively, accessible approach to cultural history. Renowned for weaving together art, politics, and social history, her lectures are praised by audiences for bringing the hidden stories behind historical figures vividly to life and, in this highly anticipated presentation, she will guide us through the dark alleys of the 18th and 19th centuries, revealing the lives of four extraordinary women who took the very labels meant to shame them and brilliantly turned infamy into an art form.

Attendees: TASH Members & their Guests Only.  Arrive early to enjoy drinks, lunch and great company.

Timings: Morning Lecture & Online @ 10:45 / Afternoon Lecture @ 14:15.

The Rebels Behind the Chisel and the Lens

The lecture focuses on how these trailblazing women navigated structural inequalities, tabloid press cruelty, and the restrictive moral codes of their eras to seize control of their own narratives:

• Anne Seymour Damer (1748–1828): A glamorous Georgian high-society sculptor, Damer was a woman operating in a fiercely male-dominated artistic field. Rather than succumbing to the biting tabloid satire, vicious cartoons, and contemporary "Sapphic" slurs aimed at her unconventional lifestyle, she pickaxed through prejudice. Her masterful work with the chisel became her ultimate weapon of defiance, securing her legacy as a serious, trailblazing artist.
• Mabel Grey: Moving into the Victorian era, we witness the astonishing phenomenon of "Mabelmania." As a prominent nineteenth-century courtesan, Grey completely upended the traditional consequences of social ruin. Rather than fading into the shadows, she brilliantly capitalised on the scandals surrounding her, utilising the rising medium of photography to control her image and effectively transform herself into the world’s very first viral photographic brand.

Why You Can’t Miss This Event

Dr. Mancio’s unique perspective as both a trained artist and a cultural researcher—coupled with her specific expertise in the historical representation of women and sexuality—makes her the perfect guide for this journey. Audience reviews from sister Arts Societies consistently highlight her "untiring enthusiasm," "profound knowledge," and her rare knack for making complex artistic theory feel both wonderfully entertaining and deeply relatable.

Whether you are fascinated by the hidden struggles of historical women artists, the evolution of media branding, or the dazzling social history of the Georgian and Victorian eras, this lecture promises to be an enlightening, thought-provoking event.

About our Speaker

Originally trained as an artist, Dr. Marie-Anne Mancio is a highly distinguished art historian, author, and accredited Arts Society lecturer. She earned her DPhil in Art and Critical Theory from the University of Sussex and holds an MPhil in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow.  Dr. Mancio has dynamic, wide-ranging expertise, with specific research interests in conceptual art, women artists, and the historical representation of gender and sexuality. A deeply experienced educator, she has written and delivered courses for prestigious cultural institutions including Tate Modern, the V&A, and the Dulwich Picture Gallery, alongside leading international art history study tours.

Come along and discover how these remarkable historical icons fought back against the labels of their time, leaving a lasting mark on the history of art.