Country Life’s best art stories of 2018: Monet, Andrew Graham-Dixon and Victorian Photoshopping
We've taken a look back through our archives from the year to pick out our top 10 articles of 2018 featuring the world's most breathtaking, inspiring and inspiring art from all sorts of genres and periods.

The 160-year-old ‘Photoshopped’ picture which shocked Victorian England
This fascinating look at the work of Victorian photographers focused on a remarkable work by the great Oscar Rejlander.
The ancient roman temple which lay under London, undiscovered for over 17 centuries
The creation of a new building in central London unearthed a temple to the god Mithras which had lain undiscovered for almost two millennia.
The paintings which show Monet’s genius for architecture as well as nature
Think of Monet and you think of reflections and nature, but his works included huge amounts of architecture and other elements of the modern, technological age in which he lived.
10 glorious paintings which perfectly encapsulate the art of the conversation piece
A look at this intimate and informal Georgian form of portraiture which celebrated families without the usual swagger or posturing.
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The photographer obsessed with why we all like to be beside the seaside
Knotted hankies at the ready for this look at some wonderful photographs documenting the British public's relationship with coastal resorts.
A moment in time capturing the gulf between architects’ dreams and residents’ realities
Tony Ray-Jones was one of a generation of photographers who chronicled life in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s, demonstrating the gulf between the dreams of town planners and the reality for the residents.
My Favourite Painting: Andrew Graham-Dixon
'Lesson Number One: it’s the pictures that baffle and tantalise you that stay in the mind forever,' said the art historian and presenter about this staggering image.
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. This key work from that time is simultaneously impressionistic and brutally honest.
The Van Dyck portrait that shows Charles I as monarch, connoisseur and proud father
Lilias Wigan takes a detailed look at Van Dyck's The Greate Peece, one of the highlights of the Royal Academy's stunning exhibition of the art collected by Charles I.
How Holman Hunt’s Lady of Shallot was inspired by Van Eyck’s greatest masterpiece
Jan Van Eyck's iconic The Arnolfini Portrait inspired dozens of artists – but none to greater effect than Holman Hunt.
Jools Holland’s Favourite Painting
Jools Holland introduces his favourite painting – Tulip petal number 3
Stephen Fry’s favourite painting
Stephen Fry shares why he loves this famous Velázquez painting of Pope Innocent X
Credit: Alamy
In Focus: A grim masterpiece of the French painter who became the ultimate storyteller in paint
Laura Freeman examines the brilliance and bravado of Eugène Delacroix’s paintings – including an extraordinary recreation of one of the most
In Focus: A silent cellist, blazing with pleasure, by Klimt's great young protégé Schiele
When he first came on to the Vienna art scene, Egon Schiele hero-worshipped Gustav Klimt. Once they met the two
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
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
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A honey-coloured, 300-year-old rectory where every period-house headache has already been solved for you
The Old Rectory is a charming family home that's just undergone an extensive renovation.
By Penny Churchill Published
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The secret lives of the British aristocracy, with Eleanor Doughty
Eleanor Doughty has spent years getting to know the aristocracy of Britain — and she joins us on the Country Life Podcast to talk about their lives.
By James Fisher Published
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Polestar 4: Function, form and a sprinkle of stardust
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Horology with horsepower: Girard-Perregaux unveils new watch in collaboration with Aston Martin
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Playing the fool: The rich history of tarot and how it satisfies our desire for transcendence
Once an elaborate art form that entertained 15th-century Italian nobility, tarot cards have evolved into a tool of divination. A new exhibition shines a light on their history.
By Deborah Nicholls-Lee Published
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If the future of Ferrari is electric vehicles, then it is our future too
It's widely believed that Ferrari will unveil its first electric car this year. It's the signal that the internal combustion era is coming to an end.
By James Fisher Published
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The Airlander wants to save our skies
A new hybrid aircraft promises eco-friendly aviation. Designed and built in the UK, can it be the future of air travel?
By Charles Harris Published
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Dawn Chorus: How to bag a Vacheron Constantin watch like Brad Pitt’s 222 and why London’s Sloane Street is looking better than ever
Everything you need to know today, including a new version of the watch Brad Pitt made headlines with at Wimbledon, the Harvey Nichols pasta pop-up and Sloane Street’s £40million face lift.
By Rosie Paterson Published
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When London was beginning to establish itself as modern cultural powerhouse: The 1980s according to David Bailey
In his new book ‘Eighties Bailey’, ‘era-defining’ photographer David Bailey explores a time when London and the UK were at the centre of the fashion, art and publishing worlds.
By Richard MacKichan Published
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The Everrati Pagoda: An electric wolf in classic combustion clothing
What do John Lennon, Audrey Hepburn, Charlton Heston, Kate Moss and Harry Styles have in common? They all owned an SL Pagoda. But they won't have owned one as nice as this.
By Adam Hay-Nicholls Published