Art and Antiques

My favourite painting: Carmel Allen

Carmel Allen, managing director of Tate, chooses an unforgettable image from one of the Scottish Colourists.

How the Bloomsbury Group shaped life in London WC1

There’s more to the Bloomsbury Group than squares, circles and triangles, says Rosemary Hill, who explores what drew its members to London’s WC1 in the first place and the lasting effect they had on it.

My Favourite Painting: Levison Wood

The explorer Levison Wood chooses a dramatic portrait of war dating back 150 years.

My favourite painting: Claire German

Claire German of the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, chooses an incomparable Tudor portrait of one of the great men of his time: Holbein's portrait of Thomas Cromwell.

My favourite painting: Anthony Mould

The art dealer Anthony Mould chooses a rarity: a human portrait by Stubbs.

Stephen Millership: The man whose classic posters distill the spirit of the British countryside

From the mauve sky of Waterloo Sunset to the pastoral Arcadia of rolling fields in God’s Own Country, Stephen Millership’s evocative travel scenes capture Great Britain’s soul. Andrew Liddle meets the man behind the art.

My favourite painting: Miranda Rock

Miranda Rock of the Burghley horse trials chooses a floral masterpiece bought almost 350 years ago by two of her ancestors.

My favourite painting: Rose Balston

Art historian Rose Balston chooses a Gentileschi classic.

My favourite painting: MOK O’Keeffe

The historian MOK O’Keeffe chooses a portrait which hangs in one of London's great houses.

Sir Joshua Reynolds: Why 'the greatest portrait artist England has ever seen' is the true heir to the Old Masters

It wasn’t merely brilliant brushwork or sparkling colour that made Sir Joshua Reynolds one of England’s greatest portraitists. His talent for friendship nurtured his extraordinary career, says Susan Jenkins.

My Favourite Painting: Graham Lloyd-Brunt

The designer Graham Lloyd-Brunt picks a calming and peaceful image.

My Favourite Painting: Freya Simms

Freya Simms of LAPADA chooses an exotic 17th century image.

The art of the seaside

Open skies, shifting clouds and the golden expanse of the beach have inspired artists from John Constable to Antony Gormley, but the sun-bathing throngs have proved a rather less popular subject, as Michael Prodger discovers.

My favourite painting: Oliver Spencer

Oliver Spencer of Favourbrook picks a painting of cricket with colours 'to sear into your eyes, burn into the retinas.'

My favourite painting: Matthew Williamson

Designer Matthew Williamson chooses an abstract modern piece that contrasts with his professional style.

My favourite painting: Will Fisher

Will Fisher of Jamb chooses a huge and dramatic Rubens.

Life, the universe, cave art... and no longer believing in Heaven, by Robin Hanbury-Tenison

Does the meaning of life hide in our mystical relationship with our world, as captured by the cave art of prehistoric men, asks Robin Hanbury-Tenison.

My favourite painting: Skye Gyngell

The chef and restauranteur Skye Gyngell chooses an uplifting modern piece.

Jonathan Self: My 146-year-old timepiece is the antithesis of the smartwatches — and it's all the better for it

How lovely to have a beautiful watch to order your life, says Jonathan Self; but how much better to have no need of one at all.

My favourite painting: Joanne Ooi

EA Festival founder Joanne Ooi picks a bold image that's a mix of acrylic, ink and oil paint on canvas.