Art

Books and Alphabets

Julian Huxley traces the development of writing and language, and expounds on its meaning for humanity.

Tristan and Isolt

According to this Essay in Archaeological Detection by Jon Manchip White, the famous legend of the loves of Tristan and Isolt may very well rest on a solid historical basis.

Hogarth’s Election Series

Peter Quennell says Hogarth’s great survey of the Humours of an Election is one of the masterpieces of English 18th century painting

Madame de Pompadour’s Theatre

‘If ever a house radiated cheerfulness, that house is Versailles.’ Nancy Mitford on the royal palace in the middle years of Louis XV.

Goya and the Peninsular War

To an official court painter we owe the most harrowing records of the effects of revolution and war. W.R. Jeudwine discusses Goya and his times.