This is, without any exaggeration, exactly how Putin and Orbán proceeded — using antisemitism to discredit the idea of civil society and political opposition, and as an excuse to undo the rule of law. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/u...

The eyes have it!

More is, well, more!

The magic hour at Verona today

Ah, Canova!

📣Call for Papers 📣 I am delighted to announce that 'Speech/less in the Early Modern World' will be held 23 April 2026 at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge. Please share far and wide and do consider submitting a proposal! 🙊 Link to PDF version: bit.ly/4lZz80R

Let's say it again: 1) Harvard said "No," and Trump has backed off. 2) Chicago (and Illinois) said "No," and Trump has backed off. It's day by day. But those who said "OK, sure," have gained nothing at all. Except shame.

Archaeological crucifixion at the Museo Civco, Padua

At the Villa Malcontenta this morning

Enchanting light at the Villa Rotonda this evening

The only word to describe James Turell’s work at Houghton Hall & Gardens: heavenly

Coffee break

Stephen Cox at Houghton Hall & Gardens: an unforgettable exhibition!

BRUTAL JOBS REPORT: Just 22,000 jobs added in August. Unemployment rises to 4.3%. Broader jobless rate jumps to 8.1%. Slowest 4-month growth since 2020. Plus, downward revisions for June and July of -21,000. Yikes.

The coast near Thornham, Norfolk, this afternoon

“Forest bathing” above Asolo, in the territory of Treviso, this morning

“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” ~Ray Bradbury Keep reading, friends. 📚

Thought for the day!

8/19/2025- Alaska 2025 www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/au...

To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower: Kiefer at the Royal Academy today

This letter, to Harvard's leaders encouraging them not to give in to Trump, is open for signature by everyone. You can remain anonymous if you want. But please read and sign if you can. crimsoncourage.fillout.com/august-letter

#BookSky 🫢😂

Keeping cool in Clare this morning

Summer is icumen in: Lavenham today

Herbaceous borders and a floral question mark at Helvingham Hall today

My column: The America We Knew Is Rapidly Slipping Away www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/o...

"We don’t have a king, we have a president. And the president doesn’t get to pick what’s on television, in movie theaters, on stage, on our bookshelves, or in the news..." full letter and list of signees here: www.wgaeast.org/get-involved... www.thewrap.com/wga-members-...

No surrender; fight fiercely, Harvard!

I thought he said he would fix this on Day One?!?

lol

Well worth reading

Thought for the day:

We are thrilled to hear that two of our books have been long listed for the 2025 Berger Prize, awarded annually for excellence in British art history. @bruceboucher.bsky.social

Cloud iridescence, this evening in Suffolk

Evening shadows in Lavenham just now

Not hackneyed but in Hackney Wick: the great new V&A Storehouse

Greetings from Southwold!

When President Johnson activated the Nat'l Guard in Alabama in 1965 over Gov. Wallace's objection he did it to protect protesters advocating for voting rights for Black people who had previously met violence at the hands of state troopers. Very different situation.

It’s Friday, bee happy!

Kenwood House in Hampstead is hosting a beautiful exhibition of American women who married into English society and we’re drawn and painted by John Singer Sargent. This is the Countess of Ancaster, 1912.

on.ft.com/44WGVqI Celibate chic: why do we continue to fetishise Shaker design?

Man Feared to Be Cognitively Slipping After Writing Book About Wrong President open.substack.com/pub/borowitz...

The bridge to nowhere, Moulton, Cambridgeshire

Gingerbread men are now gingerfolk!

St Mary’s, Woodbridge, Suffolk, this afternoon

Thank you Sarah!! Also I’d forgotten that photo!

Good vibes at the National Gallery this evening