Palazzo Poggi houses the extraordinary 18th-century creations of a school dedicated to wax modelling – invaluable tools for medical students at the time
Courtroom sketches from the trials of Alfred Dreyfus and of Émile Zola are among this month’s highlights – along with a major collection of arms and armour
As a young museum director, Homan Potterton transformed the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection – but he would resign suddenly, later gaining success as a writer
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
With his monuments to Union statesmen and soldiers, the artist acknowledged the unfinished business of the past
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
A new cookbook may inspire you to make Cullen skink with Douglas Gordon or Ming Wong’s congee with canned fish
A new international agreement raises questions about what counts as cultural property in space, how it should be protected and who should do the protecting
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
