Historian Rebecca Rideal talks through artworks and illustrations to show explain how fires, plague and war made 1666 one of the most dramatic years in British history.

Psychoanalysing Art ft. Vanessa Sinclair – Episode 62

Aug 4th, 2020 16m 40s

Psychoanalyst Vanessa Sinclair explains how Freud and psychoanalysis inspired the art of the Surrealists.

Art and Advertising ft. Michele Bogart – Episode 61

Jul 21st, 2020 18m 44s

Michele Bogart discusses the relationship between artists and ad design since the late nineteenth century.

Soul of a Nation ft. Zoé Whitley – Episode 60

Jun 16th, 2020 16m 55s

We speak to Director of Chisenhale Gallery Zoé Whitley about her work co-curating the 'Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power' exhibition and art in the context of Black Lives Matter.

The Art of Twentieth-Century British Railway Posters ft. David Bownes – Episode 59

Jun 2nd, 2020 18m 31s

We speak to David Bownes to learn about the history of British railway poster artists and how poster designs developed over the twentieth century.

An Introduction to Classical Mythology in Art ft. James Cahill – Episode 58

May 19th, 2020 20m 17s

Writer and classicist James Cahill gives an introduction to mythological themes in art.

Fashion from the Canvas to the Silver Screen ft. Raissa Bretaña – Episode 57

May 5th, 2020 16m 17s

Raissa Bretaña tells us how costume designers look to art history to inspire the fashions for films set across history.

The Beauty in Beasts ft. Giovanni Aloi – Episode 56

Apr 21st, 2020 24m 8s

We speak to Giovanni Aloi to discover why animals have inspired artists for thousands of years.

Presidential Portraits (Part 2) ft. Kim Sajet – Episode 55

Apr 7th, 2020 16m 22s

Director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Kim Sajet discusses the origins of the gallery and presidential portraits. (Part 2)

Presidential Portraits (Part 1) ft. Kim Sajet – Episode 54

Mar 24th, 2020 21m 45s

Director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Kim Sajet discusses the origins of the gallery and presidential portraits. (Part 1)

Demystifying Tarot Art ft. Rachel Pollack – Episode 53

Mar 10th, 2020 18m 43s

Tarot expert Rachel Pollack discusses the origins of tarot cards and how artists have engaged with tarot iconography since the 15th century.

How the Bank of England Design Banknotes ft. Sarah John, Jenni Adam and Debbie Marriott – Episode 52

Feb 25th, 2020 18m 47s

We took a trip to the Bank of England to find out about the new J. M. W. Turner £20 note and how money is designed. Guests include Chief Cashier Sarah John, Bank of England Museum Curator Jenni Adam, and banknote designer Debbie Marriott.

Reflecting 'Madness' in Art ft. Anna Jamieson – Episode 51

Feb 11th, 2020 23m 24s

We speak to Anna Jamieson about early representations of mental illness in art and how this has developed over the centuries.

The Art of Disney Animation ft. Charles Solomon – Episode 50

Jan 28th, 2020 23m 18s

Animation critic and historian Charles Solomon tells the story of early Disney cartoons and how fine art inspired the films we've come to love.

The Vagina Museum and Vulvas in Art ft. Sarah Creed – Episode 49

Jan 14th, 2020 25m 39s

We dive into the story of vaginas and vulvas in art with the help of Sarah Creed, curator of the newly-opened Vagina Museum in London.

Journey to the Moon ft. Melanie Vandenbrouck – Episode 48

Dec 17th, 2019 22m 29s

Take a mental journey to the moon with this discussion on how our lunar companion has influenced artists across centuries.

Art and Innovation at World Fairs ft. Caroline A. Jones – Episode 47

Dec 3rd, 2019 21m 38s

Caroline A. Jones gives a history of the origins of the world's fair and how art factored into displays industry and innovation.

Finding More of Britain's Lost Masterpieces ft. Bendor Grosvenor – Episode 46

Nov 19th, 2019 24m 34s

We speak to Bendor Grosvenor, co-host of 'Britain's Lost Masterpieces' to discuss the latest series.

The Monuments Men and Preserving Art During War ft. Robert Edsel – Episode 45

Nov 5th, 2019 20m 37s

Discover the story of the museum and cultural professionals who joined the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program during the Second World War to help protect heritage sites and cultural objects.https://artuk.org/discover/stories/art-matte