New episode of the podcast out today. We ask if art is good for your health; interview Katy Hessel about her new book; and try and work out if the bird lives or dies in Wright of Derby's epic 'Airpump'.

Came to see the site of a proposed solar farm in the Scottish Borders. What I’m showing you is only about half the site.

A real life art adventure for Waldy and Bendy today, ably guided by Producer Thea, at the National Gallery’s new Joseph Wright of Derby exhibition. Podcast out on Thursday.

Made a late afternoon visit to Waddesdon. Many fine pictures of course, but also some superb historic toilet action. Including an all-Delft bathroom, and this commode chair (which I think you sat on backwards, so to speak).

If you love great art, this podcast is an absolute must-listen. Incredibly insightful commentary with a delightfully fun spin by two of the best in the business. I just got stuck in with Season 1 and I am obsessed!

Quick recce in Cirencester’s glorious church of St John the Baptist, before my talk later. One of England’s finest ‘wool’ churches.

This week’s podcast is a Halloween special; we discuss plague, terror and fire in art. Also, is the King Catholic? open.spotify.com/episode/796F...

Great interview in this week's episode with @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social and @cjfaraday.bsky.social discussing her new book 'The Story of Tudor Art'. I'd add it to my Christmas list but wary that the last time Bendor recommended a book for Christmas, it turned into quite the adventure...

Excellent analysis of the China spy case, and the muddle we've got ourselves into on the definition of 'enemy'.

A truly disgusting Tory proposal, point 3.

I was intrigued to see which two of the Vatican’s ten Raphael tapestries were chosen for today’s unprecedented service in the Sistine Chapel. The tapestries are very rarely shown - was Pope Leo XIV conveying any message in the choice? 🧵

Latest episode just out: this week we discuss the Louvre robbery, ask if Tudor art is any good, and disagree about the merits of Manet.

"The idea of deporting people with settled status is disgusting, and anyone proposing it should be immediately drummed out of polite society. Breaking promises made in good faith to our friends and neighbours is racist, extremist and immoral." I'm basically shouting at the sky here, but still.

This week's episode just released. We discuss the Canterbury graffiti, and the art of the unfinished. Available on all the usual platforms. 'An unalloyed pleasure', says The Spectator!

New episode of the podcast just out. This week we discuss; who is art's most forgotten artist? And, whether to buy a second-hand bench from the National Gallery for £800.

Icymi, gather there's a handful of tickets left for this. See you there!

As much as I want to resist the scourge of AI in universities, I think this issue also highlights how we place too much emphasis on historiography. As in, 'while Prof. X says this, Prof. Y says that'. It's no wonder students seek to summarize it. Empiricism will be more AI-proof.

The latest episode of our Adventures in Art is out. This week we discuss Bosch, Michelangelo, and Donald Trump’s taste for gold. And in the Times, James Marriott has kindly given us a 5* review!

That's the first time I've actually cheered a line in one his speeches. His best so far. Has he found his mojo at last?

Instagram. I never really got it. But now it’s just endless AI slop.

Admiring a full length of Cromwell at the National Army Museum, made early 1650s. At some point after the Restoration the face was slashed.

Got a last minute ticket to hear Víkingur Ólafsson play Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto with the Philharmonia. Completely mesmerising.

You wait years for a new episode of mine and Waldemar’s podcast, then two come along at once. Today’s episode features Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Judith Leyster, and much else.

Covering Zoffany, rosary, and prophylactic. And not agreeing about them. Great to have this back. Hope it’s here to stay. Bravo!

The great James Marriott and I discussed how to look at pictures, and had a go at deciphering Holbein’s Ambassadors. jmarriott.substack.com/p/how-to-rea...

The world's most indispensable arts podcast is back, with a new episode out now on all your usual platforms. Another episode out tomorrow, then weekly.

A Britain's Lost Masterpieces repeat on tonight; Tatton Park, BBC4, 8pm.

This is going to be fun - I'll be speaking at Cirencester History Festival on Saturday 1st November, in the beautiful St John's church. Expect lots on gothic architecture, the sublime, and why Henry VIII is villain number 1 in the story of British art! cirencesterhistoryfestival.org/event/bendor...

Yes, the world needs a new podcast. Or rather, an old one resurrected. Just finished recording - dropping next week.

Tech bros must be stopped before we drown in an ocean of AI slop www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/dig...

Impressive and exciting news that NG has raised the money needed to develop the land behind the Sainsbury Wing. It seems to me to be both Good and Less Good news. 🧵

Yup. Look at this BS paragraph just casually dropped into the Times front page story.

As far as I can tell, Rayner has actually gone out of her way to pay *more* tax.

Seems the BBC significantly exaggerated the Home Office case here, both in their wording on Twitter and on the broadcast itself. Home Office lawyers did *not* say this, which would be politically toxic, and play right into the hands of you know who. >

Doing some research into the provenance of Raeburn's Skating Minister, I put into google the address of one of its former owners, Beatrix Scott. She lived in a house in Tattershall. That house is not only for sale, but the current owners have a copy of the picture in their living room!

I'll be speaking about the Invention of British Art at the Chelsea History Festival, 27th September, at the Royal Hospital. Will be featuring Sir Christopher Wren, of course! chelseahistoryfestival.online.red61.co.uk/event/386:55...

FIRST EVENT OF 25-26: Wednesday 17th September 2025 @ 10.30a.m. "The Invention of British Art" with Bendor Grosvenor at our new venue the Trades Hall of Glasgow. The book will also be available to purchase on the day £30 (cash only please).https://www.gafas.org.uk/the-invention-of-british-art/

I feel v lucky to have written my book in the last days of an easily searchable internet. I don't know what they did, but jeez it's so much harder now.

The boss of Auto Trader proudly telling R4Today their car reviews will now be written by AI. 🤦🏻‍♂️

What he says is, it would 'kill the British AI industry'. It's like arguing we needed a 'British internet' in 1995.

No mow May? Not in Scotland! Here, the government highways agency diligently mows down the wild flowers, and the litter. 😖

Ouch.

Great interview with Damien Hirst. He’s gloomy about the art market. (And he’s got a good track record on that - his $200m Sotheby’s sale was right before the 2008 crash.) www.thetimes.com/article/4883...

Many thanks Tim!

With Trump destroying the US university sector, now would be a good time for the UK government to stop messing about with student visas.

How Brexit frictions affect the art trade, despite today's 'reset'. Importing (say) a decent Gainsborough from EU to the UK requires: EU export licence; UK customs checks; UK 5% import Vat; extra procedures if it's going to Northern Ireland. None of this applied pre-Brexit. 1/2

Fantastic ending to Baroness Kidron's speech in the House of Lords yesterday, which led to the government's defeat on AI & copyright. Speaking the UK's creators: "Their property, their labour, is worthy of your protection - because apart from anything else, it is not ours to give away."

What a daft waste of money. An AI response is not a response, so just save the £40m and don’t respond to complaints at all.

Here’s my review of the new National Gallery entrance and rehang, which opens tomorrow. artreview.com/national-gal...

Had a little preview of the new Sainsbury Wing and rehang at the National Gallery. My thoughts out soon in Art Review.