The Finer Things
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Farewell to the arms: The humbling English defeat to the French that you've never heard of
A 15th-century cannon, an 18th-century flintlock belt-pistol and two swords excavated near Castillon, the site of the battle that ended Britain's rule in south-western France, featured prominently in an Olympia Auctions sale last month.
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Feeling blue? A dozen things of stripey beauty to put a smile on your face
Blue-and-white stripes are eternally elegant, says Hetty Lintell, who selects some lovely pieces for home and away.
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Curious Questions: Why are there so few smiles in art?
Centuries of portraits down the ages — and vanishingly few in which the subjects smile. Carla Passino delves into the reasons why, and discovers some fascinating answers.
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'The world's most joyful museum': Young V&A in East London wins top prize
The museum scooped the prestigious Museum of the Year award, the largest in the world, pocketing £120,000 after a three-year renovation.
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Bentley sets new speed record, but underwater
The new Continental GT Speed spooled up its mighty hybrid powertrain and flew through a tunnel some 292 metres below the sea level. Why? Because why not.
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Full steam ahead: The art of rail
The railway may have started its artistic life as a fire-breathing monster that devoured the countryside, but it soon became an emblem of advancing modernity, a cherished memento of the past and even, in the case of one station, the centre of the universe. Carlo Passino explains.
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The Titian masterpiece found in a plastic bag at a London bus stop has sold for £17.6 million
The painting that secured Titian’s reputation as 'the greatest painter of the Venetian Renaissance' is going up for sale, 30 years after it was recovered in a carrier bag in the most unlikely of spots.
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Tim Henman: A lifetime at Wimbledon
Tim Henman has spent years of his life at Wimbledon, as a fan, player, broadcaster and more. He spoke to Toby Keel.
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My Favourite Painting: Rob Houchen
The actor Rob Houchen chooses a bold and challenging Egon Schiele work.
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My Favourite Painting: Jeremy Clarkson
'That's why this is my favourite painting. Because it invites you to imagine'
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Tanks, tulips and taxidermy: The strange lives of Britain's most eccentric collectors
Five collectors of unusual things, from taxidermy to tanks, tulips to teddies, explain their passions to Country Life. Interviews by Agnes Stamp, Tiffany Daneff, Kate Green and Octavia Pollock. Photographs by Millie Pilkington, Mark Williamson and Richard Cannon.
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Jeep Wrangler review: An iconic off-roader that’s stayed true to its roots
Jeep Wrangler review: An iconic off-roader that’s stayed true to its roots
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One of the cleverest pictures ever made, and how it was inspired by one of the cleverest art books ever written
The rules of perspective in art were poorly understood until an 18th century draughtsman made them simple. Carla Passino tells the story of Joshua Kirby.
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Six things to know about the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition
The 2024 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is here. Country Life's Arts and Antiques Editor Carla Passino shares some trivia and tips for how to get the most out of it.
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Everything you could ever want to know about the uniforms of the British Army
From Cromwell's New Model Army to Waterloo to the King's Coronation, the outfits of our soldiers have always been as functional as they have been stylish.
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Country Life's Little Green Book: The eco-friendly companies making the world a better place
Country Life's pick of the people, places and products, from garlic chutney to laundry capsules, that are making waves with their green credentials. Compiled by Madeleine Silver and Rosie Paterson.
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Before the palazzo there was Petersfield: The Hampshire cottage where Peggy Guggenheim learned to love the art world
Humble Yew Tree Cottage stands in stark contrast to the excesses of this great art collector, but was a formative period in her life and is the subject of a new exhibition.
