Craigmyle Lecture 2026: Sir Gabriele Finaldi

How art can lead us to faith and faith can lead us to art

Altarpieces and Christian devotional paintings in the National Gallery’s collection were originally designed to be the focuses of liturgy and prayer, in churches, chapels and in the home. The images fixed themselves in the minds of the devout viewers and served to deepen and confirm their faith. But can they still serve these purposes in our time or have they outgrown them and are they now only relics of past ages and half-remembered beliefs? Can historic works of art still address people’s faith today and, more intriguingly perhaps, can works of faith speak to those of no faith?

Join us for the Catholic Union’s Craigmyle Lecture given by Sir Gabriele Finaldi. The lecture will be Chaired by Baroness Hollins, President of the Catholic Union, and sponsored by Stone King.

There will be time for questions and answers followed by a reception.