Art and Antiques

In Focus: the fungi sculptures that bend stone into soft, flowing forms

They may look as delicate and organic as the real thing, but Ben Russell’s sculptures of fungi, cacti and roots will outlast us all, believes Natasha Goodfellow.

In Focus: The art of Ford Madox Brown

Known for his bold and thoughtful pictures, as well as a fondness for magenta, Ford Madox Brown was one of the most flamboyantly gifted Pre-Raphaelites, even if he was never a member of the sacred brotherhood.

My Favourite Painting: Simon Mayall

Retired army office Sir Simon Mayall explains his love of a 'vibrant tableau summons up the exotic allure of India'.

In Focus: How 21st century artists are reviving the art of the fresco

Once practised by Michelangelo, Raphael and da Vinci, the art of fresco creation has changed little in 1,000 years. Marsha O’Mahony meets the artists following in their footsteps.

My favourite painting: Skye McAlpine

The chef and writer Skye McAlpine chooses The San Zaccaria Altarpiece by Giovanni Bellini.

The secrets of the basket-maker: 'With a basket, you watch it grow before your very eyes'

Anna Stickland has woven a new career as a basket-maker; she spoke to Nick Hammond.

My Favourite Painting: Neil Mendoza

Lord Mendoza, provost of Oriel College, chooses 'The Painter and his Pug' by William Hogarth.

Why a good frame can be a work of art in its own right

Catriona Gray retraces the history of frames, admires the craftsmanship required to make them and discovers what's the best way to preserve them.

My Favourite Painting: Xavier F. Salomon

Xavier Salomon of The Frick Collection chooses Allegory of Virtue and Vice by Paolo Veronese.

Curious Questions: Who created the 'Your Country Needs YOU' poster?

It's one of the most famous images of the 20th century, copied and parodied countless times. But who created the famous image of Lord Kitchener calling his countrymen to arms? Nicholas Hodge takes a look — and discovers a dog-loving cartoonist who'd 'rather win a medal at golf' than be elected to the Royal Academy.

In Focus: The £16,500 book that's a perfect 1:1 scale reproduction of the Sistine Chapel frescoes

Michaelangelo's great masterpiece, the frescoes that adorn the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, has been reproduced in a quite extraordinary volume of books. Annunciata Elwes takes a look.

My Favourite Painting: Guy Hills

'The large canvas encapsulates an era of elegant élan, of modernity and jazz that makes you want to jump in and join the party.'

In Focus: Sir Thomas Lawrence, the child prodigy who painted Queen Charlotte

My Favourite Painting: Gyles Brandreth

Broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth makes his choice, a portrait of one of the most famous women of the 19th century.

In Focus: A photographer's magical celebration of the farmers of Yorkshire

Photographer Valerie Mather has chronicled the lives of farmers in her award-winning images, which are now collected together together in a handsome book: Yorkshire Born & Bred: Farming Life.

My Favourite Painting: Tim Sainsbury

Philanthropist Sir Tim Sainsbury picks out a true Renaissance masterpiece.

In Focus: The animalistic artworks of Francis Bacon

Martin Gayford considers the importance of snarling creatures, human and otherwise, in the art of Francis Bacon.

My Favourite Painting: Wendy Philips

Wendy Philips, deputy chairman of Sotheby’s, chooses a classic Velázquez.

In Focus: Fergus Granville, the driftwood sculptor inspired by North Uist

Fashioned from driftwood, barbed wire, sea urchins and barnacle-encrusted plastic mannequins, Earl Granville’s eclectic sculptures are inspired by the Hebridean island of North Uist’s wild weather and terrain, discovers David Profumo.

My Favourite Painting: Robin Muir

Photographic historian Robin Muir chooses a portrait by Ambrose McEvoy.