CULTURE

The hidden meanings in a US masterpiece

Marshall also scatters mirrors across School of Beauty, School of Culture, a nod to Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait(1434) and Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas (1656), two

CULTURE

Why ‘the most controversial queen in history’ was so hated

Presented to the French court as a peace offering after years of hostility with Austria, Marie Antoinette had split allegiances that mired her in suspicions − not

CULTURE

The tiny island seized by Britain to foil the USSR

In 1955, annexation of Rockall was about ensuring national security. But within a few decades, the government became more concerned with securing rights to Rockall’s

CULTURE

15 of the best albums of the year so far

Olafur Arnalds & Talos – A Dawning Icelandic musician/producer Olafur Arnalds has spanned numerous musical styles, including neo-classical, punk rock and TV-and-film scores. A Dawning

CULTURE

Why readers are wrong about Mr Darcy

The glory of this novel is foremost in the life force of its characters, particularly Elizabeth Bennet, who is the most appealing of literary heroines,

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The docudrama about a Gaza tragedy leaving audiences ‘distraught’

At this year’s Venice Film Festival, no film has been more talked about than this latest project from Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, which recounts

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‘Riveting’ US nuclear attack thriller is ‘more terrifying than most horror films’

The Hurt Locker director Kathryn Bigelow builds “excruciating tension” in a film about a nuclear missile headed for the US. It’s a characteristically authentic, “riveting”

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Why female pop stars embracing sex is still controversial in 2025

Whereas Madonna’s overt sexuality felt radical, Carpenter’s has a more tongue-in-cheek feel – to the point where some have questioned whether it’s a marketing ploy.

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The Soviet artwork that spied on the US

He describes the technology of The Thing in musical terms – as being composed of tubes like organ pipes and a membrane “like the skin

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The man behind The Beatles

But Epstein had taken a curious route to the world of pop, and Charlton noted that he still seemed to be something of an outsider.