ArtsHow the goddess Aphrodite became a controversial symbol of love and sexArtworks depicting the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty, have long been branded obscene. How did she become one of the most controversial figures in the history of art?'Every museum in the world is stressing': What the rise in art heists means for visitorsA spate of audacious thefts has rocked European museums. Now, some institutions are rethinking what's worth displaying.JRR Tolkien on 'the most tragic moment' in The Lord of the RingsIn 1968, the BBC broadcast extracts from JRR Tolkien's last ever recorded interview, 31 years after The Hobbit was published. In 2019, the full video was unearthed from the archive.Arts in MotionRolex and the ArtsThrough its Perpetual Arts Initiative, Rolex supports world-leading cultural institutions and exceptional artists, in the spirit of celebrating excellence and promoting the transmission of knowledge to new generations.See moreArt historyScrimshaw: The controversial art form on the brink of extinctionAs Moby Dick turns 175, some of the last American scrimshanders grapple with the legacy of maintaining one of the US's oldest art forms.Penitent sinner or fiery saint? 10 paintings of Mary MagdalenePower, posturing, penis size: What the Bayeux Tapestry reveals about the Middle AgesThe 1920s paintings that changed how the world saw Canada DocumentariesEgypt’s Great Mummies: Unwrapped with Bettany HughesThe Art of Turkish TilesSeven Wonders of the Ancient WorldInside the Mind of Agatha ChristieAncient Treasures with Bettany HughesBritain's Hidden HeritageRenaissance: The Blood and the BeautyAround the worldWhy Carrie is never portrayed the way Stephen King imagined her Releasing this week, the latest take on Stephen King's novel has been criticised for its casting. The heroine is a softer, more conventional-looking character than in the book. Four things Jane Austen adaptations get wrong - according to expertsA new film adaptation of the English novelist's Sense and Sensibility adds to a long line of Austen's timeless stories for the screen. But these are their common mistakes.The secret life and incredible talents of outrageous US showman LiberaceThe glitzy pianist, who famously hid his sexuality, was dismissed as a "vulgar joke" in his lifetime. But a new play gets to the truth of who he was, in private as well as in public.She sold millions of romance novels. Why has Barbara Cartland been forgotten?Barbara Cartland was outsold only by Shakespeare and Agatha Christie. So why has the UK's master of romantic fiction disappeared from memory?WatchA look back at operatic legend Maria Callas' lifeGreek-American soprano Maria Callas, hailed as one of the greatest singers in operatic history, remains an icon for young performers today.See moreClassical musicThe music that keeps animals calmYou can find many different playlists for dogs and cats online. However, not all styles of music are effective.How the Psycho music score changed film foreverAlfred Hitchcock's grisly horror might not have become a classic without composer Bernard Herrmann's disturbing score.Yannick Nézet-Séguin: Mozart reveals everythingThe music director of the Met Opera shares how a commitment to authenticity shape his approach to conducting.Sinfonía por el Perú: Changing lives through musicWhat if a single note could change a life? That's exactly what's happening at Sinfonía por el Perú.Steven Isserlis: 'I want to be a voice in their heads'In an intimate portrait, acclaimed cellist Steven Isserlis opens up about why he loves teaching young musicians.Yannick Nézet-Séguin: From child prodigy to modern maestroThe renowned conductor and music director of the Met Opera reveals how a calling became his lifelong journey.More Arts stories2 days ago'Rock 'n' roll swagger': 10 images capturing the chaos of '90s Brit cultureIt was the last hurrah of analogue, 20th-Century life in the UK, as the era's chaotic, thrilling energy spilled into music, fashion, art and hedonism.2 days ago5 days agoThe brand new 'historic' mansions dividing opinionFrom Regency-style to Georgian-look, brand-new English country houses designed to look centuries old are increasingly popular in the UK, US and elsewhere. What is their appeal?5 days ago22 Sept 2026Eight ingenious homes for wildlife around the worldFrom a bat home in the UK countryside to a multi-species refuge in the Catskills, here are eight cleverly designed wildlife havens.22 Sept 20269 Sept 2026How the 'obscene' Allen Ginsberg poem Howl outraged Cold War USAllan Ginsberg's graphic verse had a seismic effect on American society. When two people were put on trial for selling it, the judgement was a landmark moment in loosening censorship.9 Sept 20268 Sept 2026Stunning buildings 'blended' with natureHere are some of the world's best new buildings that are immersed in their wild surroundings.8 Sept 20264 Sept 2026Why this banana was sold for $6m at an auction By sticking a banana to a wall with duct tape and calling it art, Maurizio Cattelan created one of the greatest cultural debates of recent times.4 Sept 20262 Sept 2026'A literary assassination': How novel Life of M sparked a Hollywood scandalControversy is swirling around Rachel Cusk's new novel and its movie-star protagonist named "M". Why the fuss – and could the character be based on Natalie Portman?2 Sept 202626 Aug 202614 of the best books of 2026 so farFrom a dizzyingly brilliant heist to a devastating tale of generational loss, here are the year's most acclaimed works of fiction so far.26 Aug 202620 Aug 2026Whales were once seen as monsters - then came Moby Dick Now 175 years old, US author Herman Melville's classic is the ultimate tale of man v whale – but in fact, it questions why humans have been so terrified of these great sea creatures.20 Aug 202618 Aug 2026Eight of the world's most colourful buildingsImaginative architects have long used colour to elevate their work. From a dazzling ancient temple to a vibrant library, here are eight buildings where colour is integral.18 Aug 202612 Aug 2026The English stately home where Nazis were tricked into spilling their secretsAt north London's Trent Park during World War Two, high-ranking Nazi POWs relaxed and chatted in the elegant upstairs rooms – while downstairs, "secret listeners" were eavesdropping.12 Aug 20265 Aug 2026Japan's ancient philosophy that helps us accept our flawsCan embracing imperfection bring greater peace? Japan's ancient tradition of kintsugi suggests it can.5 Aug 202631 Jul 2026'What can you live without?': How the Nordics have perfected the summer cabinIn this region, summer is all about retreating to a countryside timber dwelling. Here are some of the best, from a mid-Century home to a modern cabin overlooking the ocean.31 Jul 202630 Jul 2026The servant who foretold King Henry VIII's death - and paid the ultimate price Elizabeth Barton became a celebrated visionary, but when she defied the monarch, she met a grisly end. Was she a charlatan or a heroine of the Tudor world?30 Jul 202623 Jul 2026Why smash-hit tradwife satire Yesteryear is 2026's most divisive bookCaro Claire Burke's Yesteryear is the book of the season – and quite likely the year, too. Here's why the satirical novel about tradwives and womanhood has everybody talking.23 Jul 2026...
