As the postman brings you cheery season’s greetings from your nearest and dearest, let me guess what the images are on the front of your Christmas cards. Chubby robins? Jolly Santas? Snowy picturesque villages? And of course, the...

“Twas the night before Christmas,when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…” Clement Clarke Moore Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Old St. Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Papa Noel, Weihnachtsmann. Whatever your culture,...

Tomorrow is December and that means it is the countdown until Christmas Day. To celebrate, here is an art advent calendar of Nativity scenes; arranged in chronological order. 1. Domenico di Ghirlandaio Domenico Ghirlandaio was an Italian Renaissance...

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade holds as much tradition in America as football, turkey and stuffing itself. Over the past 9 decades, it has only grown in size and popularity. People look forward to seeing not only the...

Since ancient times the pear tree has been honoured as a sacred tree symbolising good health, happiness and prosperity. At this time of the year, farmers and growers are storing their precious harvest, laying down fruits to last...

 Autumn weather can be unpredictable. Some days the earth looks cut out of crystal; the sky is a milky blue, and the sunlight is sparkling and golden. Yet the very next morning all might be blanketed in grey....

What do you think when you look at the image above? Most fans of Peter de Wint’s work see exquisite tranquillity and luminosity. That wide sky, the golden corn, the vast expanse of landscape beyond. Here we have...