The Finer Things
When it comes to treating yourself to a new party dress or a pair of cufflinks, or if you want to buy a brilliant present for a loved one, look no further than our High Life section. From the most inspiring travel trips to the latest news in luxury watches, and beautiful jewellery, let Country Life guide you to the very best in beautiful things.
Plus, read articles from our brilliant Gentleman’s Life magazine, including the 39 steps to being a gentleman.
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My favourite painting: Emma Bridgewater
'For me, it’s like a prayer. Or a meditation,' says Emma Bridgewater of her favourite painting.
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In Focus: The Suffolk sculptor who ended up rubbing shoulders with Laurie Lee, Lucian Freud and George Melly in 1960s London
The sculptor Elisabeth Frink (1930–93) responded to the climate of the Cold War with powerful works exploring man and beast as predator and prey. As her work undergoes a timely reappraisal, Mary Miers considers her career.
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Utterly Inessential: A pile of dogs, a bee that can open a beer and the bag which fires tennis balls at unwanted intruders (really)
Victoria Marston outdoes herself this week with a collection of quite spectacularly non-critical things which, somehow, you'll still want to buy.
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My Favourite Painting: Jane Glover
Musicican Jane Glover chooses one of the greatest works of art in Venetian history.
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In Focus: The sculptor whose work 'treads that fine line between likeness and caricature'
At a time when public statuary is much in the news, Timothy Mowl considers the work of a leading British figurative sculptor.
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My Favourite Painting: Robert Adam
Architect Robert Adam chooses a portrait that brings a modern twist to one of the Western civilisation's oldest stories.
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Curious Questions: Who made the first proper car journey?
The man who invented the very first motor car didn't think it would be able to survive a long-distance car journey. Luckily, his wife had more faith, as Martin Fone discovered when he investigated the tale of Bertha Benz.
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In Focus: The artist and printmaker who was 'master of the unassuming sublime'
Mary Miers considers the contribution made to British art by William Nicholson (1872–1949).
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: How to do country walking in proper style
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My Favourite Painting: Julian Sands
The actor Julian Sands chooses one of art history's most extraordinary archaeological finds: the Steppe Bison painted at the Cave of Altamira, which he had the good fortune to see in person.
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In Focus: Music in a time of Covid-19, from drive-in operas to the 'Spotify of classical'
Classical music has been hit hard by coronavirus, but there are all manner of ways for musicians and music lovers to continue to enjoy it.
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My Favourite Painting: David Anderson
The director of the National Museum Cardiff chooses a portrait by Josef Herman of one of Wales's great modern poets.
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In Focus: Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, the Scottish artist whose work spanned the 20th century
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004) spanned the 20th century with a remarkable range of figurative and abstract paintings and drawings that deserve to be better known, says Peyton Skipwith.
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: A new take on a 1980s classic, an answer to bad hair days and a foolproof present for an overgrown boy
What not to buy this week. (Unless you really like it.)
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Hannah Sophia England: Meet the luxury brand putting ethics back into fashion
The founder of fashion house Hannah Sophia England, the new go-to-brand for British society, explains how sophisticated style and sustainability can go hand in hand.
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My Favourite Painting: Rebecca Stott
The writer chooses an unusual image by the iconic Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.
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In Focus — Poet Laureate Simon Armitage: 'Someone once told me I have a child's eye, probably as an insult, but I took it as an enormous compliment'
Jack Watkins spoke to the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, about writing, the environment and refusing to write about Brexit.
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The Utterly Inessential Garden Party Shopping List, from summery clothes and barbecues to the £1,000+ ice bucket
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'It took my son and daughter-in-law a weekend to set up an online shop... In a week, we sold £10,000 of wine that was languishing in the bonded warehouse'
Carla Carlisle's lockdown has taken her farm shop to places she'd never imagined — but now she's there, she's not sure whether it's for better or for worse.
