Art and Antiques

What to look out for at Masterpiece, from speedboats and cabinets to paintings and books

Masterpiece takes place this week — June 27 to July 3 — and Huon Mallalieu can hardly wait. Here are some of the pieces he's most looking forward to seeing.

My Favourite Painting: James Graham-Stewart

‘Is it in the present or in the past? These plays on time and space keep the story alive. None of this would be especially interesting if it weren’t for the unsurpassed humanity that binds Velázquez’s virtuosity.'

Antique dealers and interior designers on the objects they would never sell

When wonderful objects come into your hands on a daily basis, how does something become so special that you couldn't bear to be without it? Arabella Youens spoke to some of Britain's best antiques dealers and designers to discover the answer.

In Focus: The garden paintings bursting with colour that defined the craft of Ivon Hitchens

It's 40 years since the death of Ivon Hitchens, and the painter is being honoured with exhibitions at the Garden Museum in London and Pallant House in Chichester. Charles Derwent takes a look at the artist's key works.

Port Lympne’s breathtaking animal mural: Where art and interior design meet a love of wildlife

My Favourite Painting: Lord de Mauley

'It encapsulates the four most precious things to Munnings – and to me. If he were alive today, I would love to commission him to paint my wife on her horse.'

In Focus: The Sean Scully masterpiece full of 'complex, layered bands that shift seamlessly in tone'

A son of Dublin and South London, Sean Scully's five-decade career has seen him become one of Britain’s most admired living artists. Lilias Wigan takes a look at one of his latest pieces.

My Favourite Painting: Mike Leigh

The film director and writer chooses 'The Subway' by George Tooker, an artist who John McEwen describes as 'one of the most original and mysterious American painters of the 20th century'.

My Favourite Painting: Barry Cryer

'Like all her work, it displays a ripe sense of humour, which is what attracted me to it. No pretension, just joyful observation.’

In Focus: The Mansions of Cornwall, as they existed in 1846

A rare survey of over 80 Cornish country houses has been found and reprinted – Adrian Tinniswood takes a look.

My Favourite Painting: Mark Hix

Chef and cookery writer Marx Hix chooses a modern work by Bridget Riley, which he has owned for two decades.

In Focus: Henry and John Crealock, the Victorian military brothers who turned their hands to art

Huon Mallalieu considers the careers of Henry Hope Crealock and John North Crealock, the Victorian army officers and sometime-artists whose careers saw them come into contact with one of Britain's most famous military figures of the 19th century: Field Marshal Wolseley.

My Favourite Painting: Robin Knox-Johnston

Henry Moore at Houghton Hall: Where ancient architecture meets modern art

How a collection of first editions can make your personal library just that little bit more special

Few things are more alluring than a spectacularly beautiful library within a fine country house. But should you be fortunate enough to own such a room, the problem of what to keep within can be tricky — though rare first editions are always a good bet.

My Favourite Painting: Polly Devlin

The writer chooses 'The De Vegh Twins', a simple but haunting work by an American artist for whom fame came late: Alice Neel.

In Focus: A haunting monochrome printing of The Scream which bears Munch's own description of its meaning

The British Museum is currently running its largest exhibition of Edvard Munch's prints in almost half a century — and naturally, the artist's most famous work comes under the microscope. Rosie Paterson paid a visit.

In Focus: The war artist who taught Hockney, and whose reputation is only going to grow

In Focus: Dorothea Tanning's 'Birthday', the paradoxical self-portrait that challenged and redefined Surrealism

The life and career of Surrealist artist Dorothea Tanning spanned two continents and more than a century. Lilias Wigan picks out a key image from the current exhibition celebrating Tanning's work at Tate Modern.

My Favourite Painting: The Archbishop of Wales

'The Christian faith is, for some, too idealistic or naïve, but for those who understand Strutt’s inspiration, the painting is a metaphor for the Kingdom of God.'