The catwalk of art history

With people across the UK returning or preparing to return to shops, many of us are starting to rethink our lockdown wardrobes. We're turning to art history for fashion inspiration.

From a visual history of handbags to the royal fashion of Hanoverian kings and from gendered connotations of footwear in art history to a celebration of women's hats, learn how fashion has been immortalised in art.

From canvas to catwalk: how art history inspires contemporary fashion

Beyond Bridgerton: capturing the refinement of Regency fashion

From Kyoto to London: keeping up with the kimono

Ruffles, frills and smoking-hot suffragettes: the art of Edwardian fashion

A closer look at codpieces: the swagger and thrust of sixteenth-century men's fashion

Above Henry Fiennes Pelham Clinton (1750–1778), Earl of Lincoln, oil on canvas by Gainsborough Dupont (1754–1797). Photo credit: Nottingham City Museums & Galleries

New on Art UK

James Trollope tells the story of the unexpected tragedies tied to 'The Death of Chatterton' by Henry Wallis

Above Chatterton, 1856, oil on canvas by Henry Wallis (1830–1916). Photo credit: Tate

Jon Sleigh writes on body politics and eighteenth-century men's waistlines

Above Portrait of an Unidentified Gentleman, oil on canvas by unknown artist. Photo credit: Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum

Discover eight self-portraitists of the long eighteenth century with Tamsin Lee-Woolfe

Above Self Portrait, 1791, oil on canvas by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842). Photo credit: National Trust Images

Lucy Ellis explores artworks inspired by Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet

Above Peggy Ashcroft (1907–1991), as Juliet, London, 1935 (from 'Romeo and Juliet'), c.1935, oil on canvas by Ethel Léontine Gabain (1883–1950). Photo credit: Royal Shakespeare Company Collection

Art UK and Bloomberg Philanthropies announce a major partnership

Above The Bloomberg Connects app at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Photo credit: Bloomberg Philanthropies

Art UK Curations: portraits celebrating the life of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1921–2021)

Above Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 1983, acrylic on canvas by Bryan Organ (b.1935). © National Portrait Gallery, London. Photo credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

The Rake's Progress by David Hockney

Since its premiere in 1975, John Cox and David Hockney’s collaborative production of Stravinsky's opera, based loosely on Hogarth's paintings and engravings, has become what many have called ‘the definitive Rake’s Progress’, seen and enjoyed around the world in many incarnations. This selection of exquisite gifts celebrates the original David Hockney designs from the 1975 Glyndebourne production.

Purchases support the work of the Glyndebourne opera house in East Sussex.

The Rake's Progress by David Hockney gift range
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David Hockney The Rake’s Progress costume designs postcards – 10-piece set
£6
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David Hockney Drop Curtain trinket box
£40
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David Hockney Drop Curtain lidded candle
£95
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