Lilias Wigan

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. Lilias Wigan reports.

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 Wigan explains.

In Focus: The unforgettable art of the British WW1 soldier who might have been the Kaiser's son

Karl Hagedorn's contribution to Post-Impressionist art in Britain has been neglected for too long – a new exhibition in Chichester seeks to right that wrong and put this intriguing figure back on the map. Lilias Wigan reports.

In Focus: The photographer obsessed with why we all like to be beside the seaside

In Focus: The evocative, sensual masterpiece created in the wake of the First World War

Edward Burra was too young to have fought in the First World War, but his powerful oil painting The Snack Bar shows just how pervasive the conflict's consequences were in art and life. Lilias Wigan takes a look.

In Focus: The gleaming cups made from gold and kingfisher feathers at the heart of a great British collection

When Richard Wallace, the illegitimate son of a Marquess unexpectedly inherited his father's art collection, he did himself and his family proud by greatly improving and expanding it – and today, it's a national treasure trove. Lilias Wigan paid a visit and picked out two particular oriental treasures.

In Focus: Bomberg, the trailblazer who led the way for modern British art but died an impoverished war veteran

Coinciding with the sixtieth anniversary of the artist’s death, the touring exhibition of David Bomberg’s work is entering its final showing at Ben Uri Gallery and Museum in St. John’s Wood. Lilias Wigan paid a visit.

In Focus: The story behind the London Mastaba, the 7,506 barrels currently floating on The Serpentine in central London

The artistic husband-and-wife team of Christo and Jeanne-Claude have been making headlines across the world for decades. Since Jeanne-Claude's death Christo is carrying on alone – and his latest piece is a striking new landmark in the centre of London, as Lilias Wigan explains.

In Focus: Thomas Cole’s work on the days before man’s self-destruction, as relevant today as it was 180 years ago

Thomas Cole left Britain behind as a teenager and became one of America's great painters. Lilias Wigan takes a look at one of his most powerful and moving works – one with a message which rings truer than ever today.

In Focus: The breathtaking sculpture at the V&A with unexplained, frenzied figures writhing in pleasure and pain

Rachel Kneebone's towering sculpture at the centre of some of the V&A's oldest treasures demands your attention in a way few works ever do. Lilias Wigan takes a look.

In Focus: Rodin's quirky take on one of the treasures of the Elgin Marbles

In Focus: Charles Sheeler's cool take on 'America without that damned French flavor'

An exhibition at the Ashmoleon brings together some a wonderful collection of American avant-garde works rarely seen on this side of the Atlantic. Lilias Wigan takes an in-depth look at one of the key works: Water, by Charles Sheeler.

In Focus: The Norman Ackroyd landscape etchings that have sparked comparisons with Turner

This week marks the last chance to see Norman Ackroyd's sublime exhibition in Richmond. Lilias Wigan urges you to take the chance to enjoy the work of one of our greatest living artists.

In Focus: An ethereal exhibition pushing the boundaries of photography, porcelain and the display space itself

Clare Twomey's new exhibition at the Harley Gallery in Nottinghamshire blurs the lines in a fascinating manner: where do the exhibits stop and the display space begin? Lilias Wigan paid a visit.

In Focus: The Picasso portrait which revealed to the world his 22-year-old muse

The Tate Modern's first-ever exhibition focusing solely on Picasso concentrates solely on a single year in the life of this extraordinary, prolific artist. Lilias Wigan picks out one of the highlights.

In Focus: The Degas painting full of life, movement and 'orgies of colour'

Lilias Wigan takes a closer look at one of the key work's at the Degas exhibition at the National Gallery in London.

In Focus: An idyllic sunny afternoon, evoked by a leading light of the School of London

Lilias Wigan takes an in-depth look at Leon Kossoff's Children's Swimming Pool, Autumn Afternoon, one of the pictures on show at the Tate's latest exhibition of post-war British art.

In Focus: The Canadian hermit's work that is a dystopian alternative to Monet

Canadian artist David Milne moved from city to country, eventually ending up as a hermit in a remote part of his homeland. Lilias Wigan takes a look at this key work from that time, simultaneously impressionistic and brutally honest.

In Focus: How Holman Hunt's Lady of Shallot was inspired by Van Eyck's greatest masterpiece

Holman Hunt was one of several pre-Raphaelites inspired by Jan Van Eyck's iconic The Arnolfini Portrait. Lilias Wigan takes an in-depth look at the painting, which is part of a new exhibition at the National Gallery.

In Focus: The Van Dyck portrait that shows Charles I as monarch, connoisseur and proud father

Lilias Wigan takes a detailed look at Van Dyck's Greate Peece, one of the highlights of the Royal Academy's stunning exhibition of the art collected by Charles I.