Dr Bendor Grosvenor FRHistS
@bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social
Art historian. New book The Invention of British Art, out now.
Can't believe they're going to end trial by jury. It's one of our most fundamental rights. Literally Magna Carta stuff.
November 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Can't believe they're going to end trial by jury. It's one of our most fundamental rights. Literally Magna Carta stuff.
When is a drawing of a foot worth $2m? When it’s a newly discovered Michelanglo. ‘Study for the right foot of The Libyan Sibyl on the Sistine Chapel ceiling’, c.1511-12, will be sold at Christie’s NY in January.
November 24, 2025 at 10:14 PM
When is a drawing of a foot worth $2m? When it’s a newly discovered Michelanglo. ‘Study for the right foot of The Libyan Sibyl on the Sistine Chapel ceiling’, c.1511-12, will be sold at Christie’s NY in January.
I'm waiting to hear Starmer say the UK won't recognise any part of Ukraine as Russian.
November 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I'm waiting to hear Starmer say the UK won't recognise any part of Ukraine as Russian.
Increasingly think private equity has been curse for the UK. Asset stripping the high street - and all encouraged by the government through favourable tax treatment.
The Curse of Private Equity
Asda to raise £568m in sale and leaseback of stores.
Company loaded with debt, cut staffing, wages.
Already sold most of its warehouses and 25 supermarkets in sale and leaseback deals. Asset stripping continues.
Company losing market share.
What next?
Asda to raise £568m in sale and leaseback of stores.
Company loaded with debt, cut staffing, wages.
Already sold most of its warehouses and 25 supermarkets in sale and leaseback deals. Asset stripping continues.
Company losing market share.
What next?
Asda to raise £568m in store sell-off as sales continue to fall
Supermarket still losing market share despite effort under Allan Leighton to win over customers with price cuts
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Increasingly think private equity has been curse for the UK. Asset stripping the high street - and all encouraged by the government through favourable tax treatment.
New episode of the podcast just out. We discuss: Britain's greatest forger; why London gets all the art; and what's going on in all those mad Mary Magdalene paintings.
open.spotify.com/episode/2iP0...
open.spotify.com/episode/2iP0...
Season 5, Episode 10: Saints, Sinners and Forgers
open.spotify.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
New episode of the podcast just out. We discuss: Britain's greatest forger; why London gets all the art; and what's going on in all those mad Mary Magdalene paintings.
open.spotify.com/episode/2iP0...
open.spotify.com/episode/2iP0...
Reposted by Dr Bendor Grosvenor FRHistS
Comment | To truly read a painting, forget the present
Art historian Bendor Grosvenor argues that understanding a work’s meaning depends on seeing it in the context of its time—not through the lens of today.
buff.ly/qYaigQ0
Art historian Bendor Grosvenor argues that understanding a work’s meaning depends on seeing it in the context of its time—not through the lens of today.
buff.ly/qYaigQ0
November 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Comment | To truly read a painting, forget the present
Art historian Bendor Grosvenor argues that understanding a work’s meaning depends on seeing it in the context of its time—not through the lens of today.
buff.ly/qYaigQ0
Art historian Bendor Grosvenor argues that understanding a work’s meaning depends on seeing it in the context of its time—not through the lens of today.
buff.ly/qYaigQ0
Reposted by Dr Bendor Grosvenor FRHistS
Chilling piece on employment effects of AI on early careers. Includes this line, which will probably become the norm for many firms: "Managers at Shopify must now justify hiring a human by first explaining why AI can’t do the job."
nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com/intelligence...
‘There’s Just No Reason to Deal With Young Employees’
AI is taking entry-level jobs. What happens when Gen-Z-ers can’t start their careers?
nymag.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Chilling piece on employment effects of AI on early careers. Includes this line, which will probably become the norm for many firms: "Managers at Shopify must now justify hiring a human by first explaining why AI can’t do the job."
nymag.com/intelligence...
nymag.com/intelligence...
Amazing
November 16, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Amazing
Reposted by Dr Bendor Grosvenor FRHistS
Just listened.. a particularly interesting edition of the always entertaining & informative podcast plus an interview with Andrew Graham Dixon on his new Vermeer book & his ideas on the interpretation of his paintings.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This week on the podcast, we interview Andrew Graham-Dixon about Vermeer, lay into the BBC's arts coverage, and ask why royal portraits are so bad.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wU...
Waldy & Bendy | Season 5 | Episode 09: Why are royal portraits so ugly?
YouTube video by ZCZ Films
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Just listened.. a particularly interesting edition of the always entertaining & informative podcast plus an interview with Andrew Graham Dixon on his new Vermeer book & his ideas on the interpretation of his paintings.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This week on the podcast, we interview Andrew Graham-Dixon about Vermeer, lay into the BBC's arts coverage, and ask why royal portraits are so bad.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wU...
Waldy & Bendy | Season 5 | Episode 09: Why are royal portraits so ugly?
YouTube video by ZCZ Films
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:10 PM
This week on the podcast, we interview Andrew Graham-Dixon about Vermeer, lay into the BBC's arts coverage, and ask why royal portraits are so bad.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wU...
I find it very weird that the government line is that journalists were tricked - which would be too daft a defence even for an episode of The Thick of It - and equally weird that the journalists haven't denied it.
Government source: "Pippa Crerar, Chris Mason, and Alex Wickham must have all been tricked by several imposters posing as No.10 staff."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/keir-s...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/keir-s...
Keir Starmer Believes No One In No.10 Briefed Against Wes Streeting – Despite Apologising For The Briefings Against Him
The row has taken another bizarre twist.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I find it very weird that the government line is that journalists were tricked - which would be too daft a defence even for an episode of The Thick of It - and equally weird that the journalists haven't denied it.
Honestly, I think I could do a better job running Downing St communications and the BBC as a job share. Am available.
November 12, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Honestly, I think I could do a better job running Downing St communications and the BBC as a job share. Am available.
The other story is who is doing the briefing - but the political correspondent class* are so busy being that person’s messenger that they can’t tell us.
*(not Stephen obvs)
*(not Stephen obvs)
The important story behind this story is that someone in Downing Street is having a breakdown:
Starmer allies issue warning to PM’s rivals as fears grow over leadership challenge
No 10 said to be in ‘full bunker mode’ over fears of attempt to oust him after budget or May local elections
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
The other story is who is doing the briefing - but the political correspondent class* are so busy being that person’s messenger that they can’t tell us.
*(not Stephen obvs)
*(not Stephen obvs)
One strange thing about the BBC/Trump row is that the programme in question was actually made by an independent production company. Yes, the BBC producers and Panorama’s editor should have checked everything before it was broadcast. But…
1/3
1/3
November 10, 2025 at 11:02 PM
One strange thing about the BBC/Trump row is that the programme in question was actually made by an independent production company. Yes, the BBC producers and Panorama’s editor should have checked everything before it was broadcast. But…
1/3
1/3
I’m surprised Davie has resigned over that Panorama edit (seems like a bit of a nothingburger to me) but I’m glad he’s gone. On his watch the BBC simply gave up the ghost on factual documentary TV, and decided the best way to serve its audience was to patronise it.
1/2
1/2
November 9, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I’m surprised Davie has resigned over that Panorama edit (seems like a bit of a nothingburger to me) but I’m glad he’s gone. On his watch the BBC simply gave up the ghost on factual documentary TV, and decided the best way to serve its audience was to patronise it.
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Dr Bendor Grosvenor FRHistS
Art is definitely beneficial to the human condition. It's instant medicine. I love this podcast and the chaps who do it. Waldy and Bendy Adventures in Art @januszczak.bsky.social @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social
youtube.com/watch?v=urbW...
youtube.com/watch?v=urbW...
Waldy & Bendy | Season 5 | Episode 08: Should art be on the NHS?
YouTube video by ZCZ Films
youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Art is definitely beneficial to the human condition. It's instant medicine. I love this podcast and the chaps who do it. Waldy and Bendy Adventures in Art @januszczak.bsky.social @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social
youtube.com/watch?v=urbW...
youtube.com/watch?v=urbW...
New episode of the podcast out today. We ask if art is good for your health; interview Katy Hessel about her new book; and try and work out if the bird lives or dies in Wright of Derby's epic 'Airpump'.
November 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
New episode of the podcast out today. We ask if art is good for your health; interview Katy Hessel about her new book; and try and work out if the bird lives or dies in Wright of Derby's epic 'Airpump'.
Came to see the site of a proposed solar farm in the Scottish Borders. What I’m showing you is only about half the site.
November 6, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Came to see the site of a proposed solar farm in the Scottish Borders. What I’m showing you is only about half the site.
A real life art adventure for Waldy and Bendy today, ably guided by Producer Thea, at the National Gallery’s new Joseph Wright of Derby exhibition. Podcast out on Thursday.
November 4, 2025 at 6:14 PM
A real life art adventure for Waldy and Bendy today, ably guided by Producer Thea, at the National Gallery’s new Joseph Wright of Derby exhibition. Podcast out on Thursday.
Made a late afternoon visit to Waddesdon. Many fine pictures of course, but also some superb historic toilet action. Including an all-Delft bathroom, and this commode chair (which I think you sat on backwards, so to speak).
November 3, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Made a late afternoon visit to Waddesdon. Many fine pictures of course, but also some superb historic toilet action. Including an all-Delft bathroom, and this commode chair (which I think you sat on backwards, so to speak).
Reposted by Dr Bendor Grosvenor FRHistS
If you love great art, this podcast is an absolute must-listen. Incredibly insightful commentary with a delightfully fun spin by two of the best in the business. I just got stuck in with Season 1 and I am obsessed!
This week’s podcast is a Halloween special; we discuss plague, terror and fire in art. Also, is the King Catholic? open.spotify.com/episode/796F...
Season 5, Episode 7: Doom, death and fires
open.spotify.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:40 PM
If you love great art, this podcast is an absolute must-listen. Incredibly insightful commentary with a delightfully fun spin by two of the best in the business. I just got stuck in with Season 1 and I am obsessed!
Quick recce in Cirencester’s glorious church of St John the Baptist, before my talk later. One of England’s finest ‘wool’ churches.
November 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Quick recce in Cirencester’s glorious church of St John the Baptist, before my talk later. One of England’s finest ‘wool’ churches.
This week’s podcast is a Halloween special; we discuss plague, terror and fire in art. Also, is the King Catholic? open.spotify.com/episode/796F...
Season 5, Episode 7: Doom, death and fires
open.spotify.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM
This week’s podcast is a Halloween special; we discuss plague, terror and fire in art. Also, is the King Catholic? open.spotify.com/episode/796F...
Reposted by Dr Bendor Grosvenor FRHistS
Great interview in this week's episode with @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social and @cjfaraday.bsky.social discussing her new book 'The Story of Tudor Art'. I'd add it to my Christmas list but wary that the last time Bendor recommended a book for Christmas, it turned into quite the adventure...
Latest episode just out: this week we discuss the Louvre robbery, ask if Tudor art is any good, and disagree about the merits of Manet.
October 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Great interview in this week's episode with @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social and @cjfaraday.bsky.social discussing her new book 'The Story of Tudor Art'. I'd add it to my Christmas list but wary that the last time Bendor recommended a book for Christmas, it turned into quite the adventure...