Our Tour Leaders
All of our tours are led by academics and experts in their field who will share their passion and knowledge with you in lectures, talks and throughout the tour. Click on their profile to find out more about them.
Christopher Allen
Dr Christopher Allen is an art critic and historian. A graduate of the University of Sydney, Christopher has worked at the Collège de France in Paris and the National Art School, and is currently Senior Master in Academic Extension at Sydney Grammar School. He is the author of Art in Australia from Colonisation to Postmodernism (1997), French Painting in the Golden Age (2003) and several other books, including Jeffrey Smart: Unpublished Paintings 1940-2007 (2008). He was art critic of the Financial Review from 2005 to 2008 and since 2008 has been national art critic for The Australian.
Current Tours:
Art and Architecture in Southern Italy | 28 September – 12 October 2024 (15 days)
Testimonials:
“Probably the best tour leader I have experienced.”
Margaret B. | Jeffrey Smart at the National Gallery of Australia, 2022
“He is a wonderful tour leader – so knowledgeable, enthusiastic, helpful and cares about his group. A top tour leader!”
Alisa H. | From Homer to Caravaggio: Sicily and Malta, 2019
“Christopher was such an inspiration and kept the trip ‘alive’. His wealth of knowledge on all areas of interest was exceptional.”
Ros G. | Islands of Hesperia, 2019
“Dr Allen, is always generous and enthusiastic with his information, as well as thoughtful and kind to all with their individual needs.”
Diane C. | Cyprus: Crossroads of Culture, 2019
“I learnt a lot from Christopher. Always happy to answer questions in the most humorous and thoughtful way. A great choice of tour leader!’’
Stany D. | Persian Paradox, 2018