Cultural

Safe Spaces and Comfort Zones

Confronting the brutal facts of history can be difficult. But how far should we protect ourselves from them before it becomes censorship? 

Bernini in France

The visit of the Baroque master in 1665, writes Michael Greenhalgh, coincided with a rejection of Italian influence by French taste.

Prince Albert’s Taste

Queen Victoria’s Consort was a man of exceptional intelligence; among his many interests, writes Winslow Ames, was the collection of early German and Italian paintings and the encouragement of contemporary artists.

Young England

J.T. Ward describes how romantic views of the Middle Ages and a dislike for the horrors of industrialism inspired an able group of young Conservatives in the House of Commons during the 1840s.