Art & DesignThe tragedy hidden in a 19th-Century paintingHow the devastating meaning of The Meeting on the Turret Stairs is unlocked by a medieval Danish ballad – and why the painting can only be viewed for two hours every week.See moreLatest headlinesOriginal Bullring bull sketches go under hammerThe sheep dog turned life drawing modelA mural of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield is coming to FailsworthArt gallery reopening 'great moment' for cityHambling painting raffle raises £22k for church fundFeaturesThe messy bed that shocked the art worldIn 1999, an artwork of a dishevelled divan strewn with condoms and lager cans sparked a media frenzy and turned artist Tracey Emin into a celebrity. Why? And what happened next?'An enormous inner desolation': The darkness behind LS Lowry's city scenesIn 1957, the painter showed the BBC how he built up his pictures of industrial urban life from his imagination, and described the loneliness that informed them.The most anticipated museum openings of 2026From a futuristic sci-fi attraction in Los Angeles to a dramatic monument to a millennia-old Aboriginal civilisation, these long-awaited museums are worth travelling for.11 of the Winter Olympics' most striking images - as classical artworksAs the 2026 Winter Olympics close, the BBC rounds up some of the most stunning photos captured from the Games, and compares them to historic works of art.The historic US home that embodied the super-richThe largest privately owned home in the US, Biltmore House was an "American chateau built on the scale of a European palace". It reveals much about the dreams of the US's one per cent.Why critics scorned these 'saucy' British paintingsBeryl Cook's paintings were loved by the public but derided by the art establishment. One century after her birth, a new exhibition argues for a reassessment of her work.WatchIznik: The Ottoman art that captivated EuropeFind out how the ornate ceramics known as Iznik tiles hold the key to a forgotten golden age of Turkish art.Art & DesignA look inside Michelangelo's 'secret room'The BBC gets access to Michelangelo's 'secret hiding room' under the Medici Chapel in Florence.Art & DesignStriking images capturing the 'dark underbelly of America'Why legendary crime photographer Weegee offers a crucial lens to understand the American psyche.Art & DesignHow a mythical symbol is inspiring Turkish artistsThe 'Shahmaran', half-woman and half-snake, is a mythical figure popular in the folklore of Turkey. Art & DesignThe Lebanese artist championing vegan silkArt critic Alastair Sooke learns about a modern designer's take on Doha's Museum of Islamic Art's collection.Art & DesignWhat do we mean when we talk about 'Islamic art'?Art critic Alastair Sooke travels to Doha to learn about some of the treasures of the Museum of Islamic Art.Art & DesignThe Doha Hind: The charming 10th-Century garden ornamentArt critic Alastair Sooke learns about a decorative 10th-Century treasure at Doha's Museum of Islamic Art.Art & DesignBlue Quran: A rare 1,000-year-old masterpieceArt critic Alastair Sooke learns about a masterpiece of the Islamic world at Doha's Museum of Islamic Art.Art & DesignTaiwan's last cinema poster painterPartially blind, he vows to continue until he can no longer see.ArtOtherworldly scenes of a remote Arctic cityPhotographer Elena Chernyshova explores what it’s like to live in a city 400km north of the Arctic Circle.Art & DesignThe renegade artists of a lawless desert townDeep in the Sonoran Desert, an off-grid community are creating art in 'the last free place in America'.Art & DesignThe beautiful homes made from bambooCould bamboo be the future of sustainable architecture?Art & Design60 years of African-American life in picturesIconic photographer Frank Stewart captured key moments in history: from Fidel Castro the to the stars of jazz.Art & DesignThe naked portrait covered up for centuriesArtemisia Gentileschi: Revealing the true beauty of a censored painting.ArtShould we all live in '15-minute cities'?We explore a different model of city life, where everything is on your doorstep.DesignWhat's behind Mona Lisa's indescribable smile?This video has expired. ArtThe dark history of Comuna 13Comuna 13 is a thriving hub of graffiti artists, music and culture. But it hasn't always been this way.Art & DesignChromophobia: Who stole the colour from classical art?The way we see ancient Greek and Roman sculpture isn't actually the way it was first created.ArtThe world's oldest tattoo parlourThe Razzouk family are tattoo artists whose history of inking Christian pilgrims stretches back over 700 years.ArtInside the stunning 'new Athens' of Central EuropeJože Plečnik transformed the city of Ljubljana into a 'Slovenian Acropolis'.DesignLatest in art and design3 days agoHopes beloved poet's tour can attract touristsOne of Wordsworth's manuscripts and portraits go on display in South Korea and China.3 days ago4 days agoAnt and Dec win court order to trace 'secret profits' from Banksy dealsA court heard that an art consultant working for the TV hosts took "secret and unauthorised profits".4 days ago4 days ago'Spectacular' bible textile artwork on displayThreads includes 30 large panels made up of more than eight million stitches.4 days ago4 days agoConcrete artworks saved from demolished car parkThe Abbey Walk car park in Grimsby featured 40 concrete artworks by local artist Harold Gosney.4 days ago4 days agoAnt and Dec take legal action over 'secret profits' in Banksy dealsA court hears that an art consultant working for the TV hosts took "secret and unauthorised profits".4 days ago5 days agoElton John's family photo hung in National Portrait GalleryThe portrait shows Sir Elton with husband David Furnish and their teenage sons Zachary and Elijah.5 days ago5 days agoTown gets first bear mural in plan to add 'vibrancy'The murals will be painted in town centres across Warwickshire as part of a council initiative.5 days ago5 days agoSouped-up Warhol exhibition pops into cityThe famous Campbell Soup artwork is among Warhol pieces going on display at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.5 days ago5 days agoPeter Rabbit chosen as design for sculpture trailSt Richard's Hospice says 35 Peter Rabbit sculptures will line the streets of Worcester in 2027.5 days ago...
