My Favourite Painting

My Favourite Painting: Bryan Ferry

'I now think that it was one of the key influences in my own development as an artist' Brian Ferry says of his choice, Manet's Olympia.

My Favourite Painting: Peter Sheppard

Peter Sheppard, The Norfolk Churches Trust, chooses a Venice 'snapshot' that still captures the character of the city more than 500 years after it was painted.

My Favourite Painting: Finlay Scott

The philanthropist Finlay Scott chooses an unusual portrait of Whistler which captures some of the great man's spirit.

My favourite painting: Maria Balshaw

Tate Director Maria Balshaw picks a powerful work by Lubaina Himid, whose major solo exhibition will open at Tate Modern in November.

My favourite painting: Mark Dowie

Mark Dowie of the RNLI makes an appropriately nautical choice: Cochrane’s Compensation by John Chancellor.

My Favourite Painting: Lola Young

Baroness Lola Young chooses a picture by Sonia Boyce thats' 'about the invisibility of black women who neither had a place in feminism nor black liberation movements'.

My Favourite Painting: Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake chooses his favourite painting for Country Life.

My Favourite Painting: Simon Mayall

Retired army office Sir Simon Mayall explains his love of a 'vibrant tableau summons up the exotic allure of India'.

My Favourite Painting: Neil Mendoza

Lord Mendoza, provost of Oriel College, chooses 'The Painter and his Pug' by William Hogarth.

My Favourite Painting: Xavier F. Salomon

Xavier Salomon of The Frick Collection chooses Allegory of Virtue and Vice by Paolo Veronese.

My Favourite Painting: Guy Hills

'The large canvas encapsulates an era of elegant élan, of modernity and jazz that makes you want to jump in and join the party.'

My Favourite Painting: Tim Sainsbury

Philanthropist Sir Tim Sainsbury picks out a true Renaissance masterpiece.

My Favourite Painting: Robin Muir

Photographic historian Robin Muir chooses a portrait by Ambrose McEvoy.

My Favourite Painting: Floella Benjamin

Baroness Floella Benjamin chooses her favourite painting, a striking portrait which 'proves that talent and determination can transcend all barriers.'

My Favourite Painting: Sir Mark Prescott

Racehorse trainer Sir Mark Prescott chooses a haunting portrait.

My Favourite Painting: Tony Hall

Lord Hall chooses a masterpiece by Della Francesca.

My Favourite Painting: Sister Teresa Keswick

The lawyer-turned-Carmelite nun chooses Bathsheba at her Bath by Rembrandt.

My Favourite Painting: Rupert Uloth

'An alluring lightness of touch overlaid with skill and artistry.'

My favourite painting: James Fox

James Fox chooses his favourite painting for Country Life.

My Favourite Painting: Sheherazade Goldsmith

Sheherazade Goldsmith chooses an unusual abstract photograph that challenges what we mean by art.