It takes a huge amount of skill and technical expertise to restore historic objects and interiors. John Goodall speaks to six specialists about their work and its challenges.
Art and Antiques
In Focus: Hockney, Banksy and the battle of ‘fine art’ vs ‘a stencilled publicity stunt’
David Hockney's evocative 1972 masterpiece Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) set a record for a living artist last week, immediately sparking debate given the recent farrago surrounding…
My favourite painting: Lady Sarah Chatto
‘I find the colours and the drawing of the Italian landscape inspirational and each time I stand and contemplate this painting, I discover something new about it.’
The utterly royal shopping list, from beautiful winter flowers to hand-made suits that defy disposable culture
For one week only we've transformed our regular utterly inessential shopping list into an utterly royal shopping list, to coincide with the Prince of Wales guest editing Country Life.
In Focus: The Spanish painter whose visceral depictions of martyrdom still have the power to shock
The unflinching representations of brutality in Jusepe de Ribera's images of martyrdom is the focus of a new exhibition, the first in the UK focusing solely on this Baroque painter.…
My Favourite Painting: Pierre Lagrange
Huntsman's owner Pierre Lagrange picks Dürer's 'Self-portrait at 28'.
The unique and extraordinary images of the First World War created by Britain’s first-ever official war artist
In the Spring of 1916, Charles Masterman, head of the British War Propaganda Bureau, acting on the advice of artist William Rothenstein, appointed Muirhead Bone as Britain’s first official war artist. Bone…
In Focus: The trench cello which brought the joy of music to the First World War
The men who spent years in the trenches of France and Belgium found all manner of ways to bring a touch of joy and culture into their lives – not least…
The poppy maker: ‘I was very weak, very emotional and in a bad place when I started, but I’m back to my old self again now’
Wish Lloyd battled a traumatic childhood, the army, an athletics injury and homelessness to find his place at the Poppy Factory, making the poppies we wear every November.
In Focus: The women who defied their husbands – among them England’s richest men – to care for abandoned children
A fascinating exhibition at the Foundling Museum focuses on the women who refused to countenance the prejudices of the time, and in so doing established Britain's first children's charity. Lilias…
My favourite painting: Adam Zamoyski
'One look at the picture evokes the stiff-terrier-legged, rat-murdering, wild-boar-defying bravery and the heart-melting sweetness of the little thing that brings so much joy to our lives.'
In Focus: The story behind Snoopy and Schulz’s beloved ‘Peanuts’ cartoon strip
Alexandra Fraser visits the home of Charles Schulz in Sonoma County, California, to discover the origins of Somerset House’s latest exhibition.
My favourite painting: Lulu Lytle
'My yearning for the exotic was fuelled by its intoxicating combination of all things opulent and Eastern.'
In Focus: The stunning collection of philanthropist Samuel Courtald, including Cézanne’s most groundbreaking works
Courtald's collection of Impressionist works returns to The National Gallery for the first time in 70 years. Chloe-Jane Good takes a look.
Five brilliant young artists to look out for at the Affordable Art Fair
There are always bargains to be had at this now-iconic art fair, which as always features work by dozens of talented new artists. You might end up with a valuable…
My Favourite Painting: Chris Smith
Former culture secretary Chris Smith chooses a piece from Piero della Francesca's unforgettable fresco cycle in Arezzo.
The stone conservationist: ‘You can’t beat good old-fashioned hand tools that differ little today from those used centuries ago’
‘I’ve seen lots of modern contraptions designed to speed up the re-pointing process, but, when it comes to traditional lime mortar, you can’t beat good old-fashioned hand tools that differ…
In Focus: The ‘jobbing artist’ who pioneered new technology and defined countryside painting as we know it
The landscape artist Paul Sandby divided critics even within his own lifetime, but what he left behind is an honest and lively portrayal of rural life in 19th century Britain.…
My Favourite Painting: Kate Mosse
Author Kate Mosse chooses The Last Judgement by John Martin as her favourite painting.