My Favourite Painting

My Favourite Painting: Louise Moelwyn-Hughes

'My parents bought it in one of the large, family-owned department stores (soon to be destroyed by terrorist bombs) and I remember us carrying it home on the bus.'

My Favourite Painting: Lachie Stewart

The architect Lachie Stewart chooses a Piero della Francesca masterpiece from the 15th century.

My Favourite Painting: Michael Wainwright

For the first time in a decade, John McEwen takes a look at a Favourite Painting of which neither he nor its owner knows the history.

My Favourite Painting: James Mayor

'You feel a strange affection for him as you stare at each other. I never could understand how this painting was allowed to leave the UK.'

My Favourite Painting: Alison Mitchell

'I was struck by the bold, vibrant colours and swirling shapes. It conveyed a sense of purpose and positivity to me at a time when I was feeling a little lost.'

My Favourite Painting: Stephen Calloway

My Favourite Painting: Alexzandra Hildred

My Favourite Painting: Thea Musgrave

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.'

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.’

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.

My Favourite Painting: Mary Plazas

'There is compassion, awe, humility, a knowing yet a questioning in the glistening eyes. It moves me, it inspires me beyond the need to know.’

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.'

My Favourite Painting: Michael Peppiatt

'I visited in January 1966 with a scrawled introduction from Francis Bacon, but felt too intimidated to knock on his door. Later, I learnt Giacometti had just died. This lost opportunity haunted me.'

My Favourite Painting: Sir Peter Osborne

'There’s that extraordinary gaze of hers, how confident and proud – she was, after all, born a princess – but, at the same time, how alluring and seductive, her eyes following you as you walk past her.'

My Favourite Painting: Tim Breitmeyer

The head of the CLA chooses a wintry scene by Vermeulen.

My Favourite Painting: Rodney Peppé

The children's author on a key work by Georges Rouault which entranced him before he knew anything of its creator.

My Favourite Painting: Cassandra Goud

My Favourite Painting: Sir Nicholas Serota

'The subject looks back to Botticelli, Titian and Ingres and forward to Picasso’s Demoiselles, but the visceral power is closer to relief sculpture.'