In our fabulous fine art issue we look at the rise of the conversation piece, interview the RA president, reveal 10 telegrams that changed history, plus schools that nurture talent and famously bad reports. Find out more here:
FAVOURITE PAINTING: The director of Tate Britain, Alex Farquharson, picks a stormy, epic Turner
TALKING POINTS: What gives the conversation piece its enduring appeal? Matthew Dennison explores this most intimate form of portraiture
PRESIDENTIAL COLOURS: Christopher Le Brun, artist and President of the Royal Academy talks to Mary Miers
EMBODYING THE ENLIGHTENMENT: John Martin Robinson explores the cultural influence of Charles Townley
SCHOOLS: James Bettley reveal the artistic treasures of the Royal Masonic School, Lucy Higginson funds the schools that lead the way in subjects from hockey to drama and Kate Green visits Beaudesert Park in its centenary year, plus Jonathan Self on reports and Oscar Norton on parents’ evenings
LIVING NATIONAL TREASURE: The mole-catcher
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I AM WREN, HEAR ME ROAR: The dilutive bird has a powerful song, finds Ian Morton
INTERIORS: A dramatic painting sets the tone for an artist’s drawing room by Gavin Houghton, plus London Design Week
WARS, WEDDINGS & BOILED EGGS: Rob Crossan recounts the stories behind the most legendary, curious and useless telegrams ever sent
LUXURY: Hetty Chidwick discovers Julian Lloyd-Webber’s life essentials and visits Chase Distillery
GARDENS: Steven Desmond explores the remarkable grounds of Villa San Michele, built on Roman ruins
COOKING: Melanie Johnson makes Swiss-chard rolls
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'True waterfront homes are finite... miss one and it could be years before you see another like it again': Why the best waterfront property always hits the spotThere’s no denying the appeal of waterfront property, which now sells for some 51% more than its inland equivalent, finds Knight Frank. Annabel Dixon explores the shore.
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Beyond Royal Portrush: Castles, country houses and ancient towers in the other dimension of golf in IrelandRory McIlroy's history-making exploits and The Open arriving at Royal Portrush have made 2025 a banner year for Irish golf — but there's far more to golf on the island of Ireland than those headline-grabbers, as Toby Keel finds out.
