My favourite painting: Gavin Plumley
Gavin Plumley, author and cultural historian, selects an unusual canvas with two painters credited.
The Finer Things
When it comes to treating yourself to a new party dress or a pair of cufflinks, or if you want to buy a brilliant present for a loved one, look no further than our High Life section. From the most inspiring travel trips to the latest news in luxury watches, and beautiful jewellery, let Country Life guide you to the very best in beautiful things.
Plus, read articles from our brilliant Gentleman’s Life magazine, including the 39 steps to being a gentleman.
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The English country house as seen in the art of Turner, Constable and their modern-day successors
Ever since a craze for house portraits reached Britain in the 17th century, great artists such as J. M. W. Turner have been producing sweeping vistas of stately Edens, observes Michael Prodger.
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The 'most beautiful car ever made' makes its debut on Country Life Frontispiece page alongside photographer Amy Shore
Automotive photographer Amy Shore is the star of the Frontispiece page in this week's Country Life — and where better to take the pictures than the garage specialising in classic Jaguars which she helped to start. Rosie Paterson went along.
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My Favourite Painting: Martha Lytton Cobbold
Martha Lytton Cobbold of Historic Houses selects a magnificent depiction of the power of nature.
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The penny-farthing rider who made a 400-mile trek across war-torn Ukraine
Is it still possible to use a penny-farthing today? The answer is an emphatic yes, at least if you're former Special Forces officer and adventurer Neil Laughton. He rode his Victorian high wheeler for 400 miles across war-torn Ukraine, doing everything from making pizza for local children to raising money for charity. Here he tells his tale.
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My Favourite Painting: Nick Trend
The journalist and art historian Nick Trend chooses a striking Jan van Eyck portrait.
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The art of the storm, from Turner and Rembrandt to Rousseau and Hokusai
Extreme weather has long loomed large in the artist’s imagination. Michael Prodger celebrates the poetic beauty of Nature’s all-consuming fury.
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My Favourite Painting: Jamie Hambro
Jamie Hambro picks Low Life by Edwin Landseer.
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How did they come up with the numbers for shoe sizes?
If you've ever wondered why a six is a six and a ten is a ten, so has Martin Fone. He decided to find out how we came to settle on the shoe size numbers we use today.
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Opinion: We can't possibly keep producing electricity the old way — and those campaigning against wind turbines and solar farms need to lay down their placards
Country Life's columnist Agromenes delivers a powerful and heartfelt message in praise of progress.
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All we are saying is give fleece a chance
Wool month is the time to consider sleeping in bedding sourced from a local flock, says Giles Kime.
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Chapman luggage: All in good time
Every bag at luxury brand Chapman is crafted with painstaking attention to detail and expert skill.
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My favourite painting: Felix Francis
The thriller writer Felix Francis chooses a classic image by Munnings that 'perfectly sums up the excitement of horse racing'.
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Donald John Mackay, the Hebridean tweed weaver who has changed an entire industry
Given the chance create his very own ‘estate’ Harris tweed, David Profumo knocks at the door of Donald John Mackay, the Hebridean weaver who has changed an entire industry. Photographs by Glyn Satterley.
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My favourite painting: Hugo Barclay
Hugo Barclay, director of the Affordable Art Fair, chooses an unusual Picasso.
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What price culture? £380 to see Taylor Swift — or £12 for a night at the Royal Opera
Country Life's cultural crusader Athena takes a look at the thorny issue of live music ticket prices — and how the habits of concert-goers today show that the struggles of classical music and opera to find an audience run far deeper than mere cost.
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My favourite painting: Greg Doran
Theatre director Greg Doran chooses a domestic work by one of the great masters.
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Rolls-Royce Spectre review: The magic carpet goes electric
Specialising in cars so smooth you won’t spill your Champagne, Rolls-Royce was born for the all-electric market — and the Spectre is well worth the two-year wait, says Toby Keel.
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Marianne North: The intrepid Victorian who climbed mountains and paddled up rapids to create unforgettable natural art
Victorian artist Marianne North braved jungle rapids, forests and mountains to capture the blowsy beauty of tropical plants on canvas. Carla Passino paints the life of a woman who defied conventions to forge her own path.
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Jonathan Self: The lost art of hitch-hiking
A first encounter in decades with somebody hitching a ride prompts our columnist to look back on the days when hitch-hiking was entirely normal — and an incomparable way to get from A to Wherever.
