Features

In a changing political climate, conversations about colonial history – and calls for action – are taking on a new urgency

From a Netflix flick about the Sutton Hoo dig to a study of women’s self-portraits – the must-see movies and a first reading list for art lovers

The actor did more than anyone to revive Shakespeare’s reputation in the 18th century – and a plethora of curious wooden relics also played their part

Plans for exhibitions and events may be up in the air, but the anniversaries they mark are fixed in the calendar

Annie Morris, Sunil Gupta, Edmund de Waal and other artists reflect on what’s made them feel a little more positive this year

The painter discusses dancehalls, club music and drawing in the dark

John Betjeman’s nostalgic verse memoir was well served by its illustrators

The recent dismissal of two respected museum directors widens the gulf between the ministry of culture and the contemporary arts sector

Brilliant and charismatic, the British Museum curator was dedicated to sharing his passion for ancient Greece

A decade after the uprisings that led to the downfall of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the clocks he loved remain

Canadian landscapes by Emily Carr and a major fresco by Tiepolo are among this month’s highlights

Whether breaching the Iron Curtain or riding pillion in her eighties, ‘Madame Antonova’ – director of the Pushkin Museum for 52 years – was a force to be reckoned with

Historical African artists are rarely named in museums – but we must retrieve what information we can

The sacred mountainside site of Nikko comprises both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines – many of which have been restored to their 17th-century splendour

The collecting of women has often been regarded as mere shopping, but the efforts of both princesses and professional artists are now receiving their rightful dues

Jacques Le Moyne’s intricate depictions of flowers and herbs were a pioneering contribution to the field of botanical illustration

The invention of the modern bicycle in 1885 led to a whirl of enthusiasm for racing these new machines – and artists were swept up in the craze

An auction in Paris of a prominent Tunisian family’s heirlooms was stopped earlier this year, but the country’s heritage still needs better protection

A group of Dutch drawings and a collection of pre-cinematic devices are among this month’s highlights

Restoration work at the Norfolk house has uncovered fascinating evidence of its past as a Catholic stronghold – in part preserved by nesting rodents