Kate Greenaway’s illustrations from the late 1800s are childhood favourites for many growing up in England. Even if you grew up somewhere else in the world there’s still a chance you will have seen them adorning the pages of a...
Princesses are known to follow the rules, wait for the prince, and live happily ever after. This votive panel from the sixth century, however, shows this isn’t always the case. The illustration tells the story of smuggling, secret silkworms, and definitely...
I’ve always been particularly fascinated by the portrayal of women in Ancient Egypt. Every single Egyptian woman illustrated in tombs or statues is always extremely slim and slender, youthful, and with a beautiful full black wig. This tomb-relief...
On a recent trip to the Peak District I had the pleasure of staying on the Chatsworth Estate. Its huge private collection includes a Rembrandt and a Renoir. For a long time, this sculpture, The Veiled Vestal Virgin, has beguiled me with its beauty. If you are a Jane...
For as long as I can remember, I have been captivated by ballet. The idea of being able to gracefully twirl around on my toes was my greatest girlhood dream. However, far from being the elegant, poised dancer to which many girls aspire, my legs would be wobbling and...
