February 2, 2012 — University of Virginia Art Museum director Bruce Boucher will give a Lunchtime Talk about the museum's current display of Chinese and French porcelain objects on Feb. 14, from noon to 1 p.m.

The display is on loan from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson B. Gilbert and an anonymous lender.

European desire for Chinese porcelain began in the 16th century, and in the 18th century more than 60 million pieces of porcelain were shipped to Europe. The majority of the objects were produced in Jingdezhen, a city in southeast China. Boucher will discuss the development of the porcelain trade, the aesthetics of various types of wares and the technical processes used to make them.

Boucher's career as an architectural historian, educator and museum curator spans more than 35 years. Before coming to U.Va., Boucher taught art history at University College London for 24 years, and was the curator of European sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago for seven years. In addition to a love of porcelain, Boucher is an expert on the 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio, and lectures widely on artists working in the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

The museum's Lunchtime Talks are usually held from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. These tours offer the opportunity to join curators and faculty as they explore topics related to museum collections and exhibitions.

Lunchtime Talks are free and open to the public. For information, call 434-243-2050 or email museumoutreach@virginia.edu.

The museum is open free to the public Tuesdays through Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m., and is located at 155 Rugby Road, one block from the Rotunda.