
In this episode the hosts explore John Constable's 1831 painting *Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows*, discussing its composition, the artist’s personal circumstances, and its place within the broader Constable‑Turner rivalry. They share on‑location insights from a recent visit to Salisbury, noting how the landscape has changed since Constable’s time and how the work reflects his emotional state after his wife’s death and his struggle for Royal Academy recognition. The conversation also touches on the upcoming Tate Britain exhibition marking the 250th anniversaries of Constable and Turner, highlighting the painting’s significance as a career pinnacle for Constable.

In this episode the hosts Phil Grabsky and Laura Bentham sit down with author‑filmmaker Howard Burton to explore Sofonisba Anguissola’s 1555 painting “The Chess Game.” Burton outlines Anguissola’s remarkable life – a noble‑born woman who, despite lacking a painting family, received...