Features

A natural phenomenon
With his atmospheric depictions of the Dutch countryside and his skilled use of light in his works, Ruisdael became a firm favourite with British landscape painters, influencing the likes of Constable, Gainsborough and Turner. Jenny Uglow examines the enduring appeal of one of Holland’s greatest artists and charts his early rise to success

Wall to wall
The Great Wall can be seen as a metaphor for China’s relationship with the world, argues Julia Lovell in her new history of the monument. In this excerpt, she recounts the historic — and ultimately frustrating — encounter between the first official British envoy to China and the Qianlong Emperor

Bargains in black and white
As rare prints go on sale at the London Original Print Fair, Scott Reyburn reveals why a Rembrandt may be a relatively affordable investment

Moving pictures
Contemporary photography is a fast-paced field. Curator and critic Val Williams points out some emerging talent as she previews the wide variety of work on show at Photo-London, the annual photography fair in the RA’s Burlington Gardens space

All the King's art
When Oliver Cromwell sold off the priceless art collection of Charles I, the results were surprising, says Jerry Brotton. He argues that the historic sale made art available to new strata of society and laid the foundations of the British art market

We'll always have Paris
Americans in Paris: 1860—1900

To be perfectly frank
Newly elected Academician Frank Bowling prefers to let his painting do the talking, learns Laura Gascoigne as she meets the artist in his south London studio. Photograph by Eamonn McCabe

Out to lunch: Bernard Dunstan and Diana Armfield
Bernard Dunstan and Diana Armfield are as passionate about their art — and each other — as they were half a century ago. Sarah Greenberg asks them their secrets over lunch at Brown’s and finds some surprising answers.

Healing properties
Architecture may not be able to cure illness but it can create a healthy, uplifting atmosphere that boosts the quality of life for patients. Hugh Pearman meets Michael Hopkins and learns how the publicity-shy architect has re-invented what a hospital can be.