Art and Antiques

Jonathan Self: My 146-year-old timepiece is the antithesis of the smartwatches — and it's all the better for it

How lovely to have a beautiful watch to order your life, says Jonathan Self; but how much better to have no need of one at all.

My favourite painting: Joanne Ooi

EA Festival founder Joanne Ooi picks a bold image that's a mix of acrylic, ink and oil paint on canvas.

My favourite painting: Beatrice Grant

The Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Worcestershire chooses a Piero della Francesca masterpiece.

The best regional art galleries in Britain, from Cornwall to Orkney

Wherever you are in Britain, you’re never far from an interesting gallery. Here we present an eclectic round-up of 45 places to see art outside the big cities.

My Favourite Painting: Christopher Jackson

The poet and artist Christopher Jackson chooses 'a macabre picture, with marvellous details': Chatterton by Henry Wallis.

My favourite painting: Lady Caroline Percy

The designer and art consultant Lady Caroline Percy chooses a vision of Ancient Rome by Turner.

My favourite painting: Susannah Constantine

Susannah Constantine chooses a painting by her own father, Joseph Constantine.

My favourite painting: John Chatfeild-Roberts

John Chatfeild-Roberts of the British Sporting Art Trust chooses a classic Munnings image.

My Favourite Painting: Henry Dallal

The photographer Henry Dallal, a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, chooses a modern take on an ancient Persian image.

Coronation memorabilia: Future heirlooms, or future charity shop tat?

Love it or loathe it, royal memorabilia is big business. Huon Mallalieu takes a look at the commemorative souvenirs of the past and considers if they ever really make an investment for the future.

My favourite painting: Raynor Winn

The award-winning writer chooses a beautiful landscape.

My favourite painting: Mark Tufnell

The CLA president chooses a magical landscape.

My Favourite Painting: Viscount William Astor

William Astor chooses a painting from an artist with whom he was lucky enough to have a personal connection: Sir Stanley Spencer.

My Favourite Painting: Oliver Gerrish

The architectural historian Oliver Gerrish chooses an idyllic Edgar Wood landscape.

Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum: 'As near as my life will come to finding a golden ticket to Willy Wonka's factory'

Country Life's John Goodall managed to get hold of a ticket to one of the most eagerly-anticipated art exhibitions in years: Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

My Favourite Painting: Marie Soliman

Interior designer Marie Soliman chooses an unforgettable image by Mark Rothko, one of the most distinctive modern artists of the 20th century.

My Favourite Painting: Martin St Quinton

The chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse picks a classic image from the equestrian world.

My Favourite Painting: Alistair Smith

Alistair Smith, editor of The Stage, picks a dark and unsettling Goya that hangs in the Prado — yet was never intended to be put on display.

My favourite painting: Debbie Wiseman

The composer and conductor picks Three Musicians by Pablo Picasso.

My Favourite Painting: Nicholas Lyons, Lord Mayor of London

Nicholas Lyons, Lord Mayor of London, chooses a dramatic and expressive post-war image.