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THE CHRONICLE
Step into the library…
For this blog, we’ve captured the feeling of stepping into a beautiful, tranquil library, looking out onto the rolling English countryside as you browse through our posts.
We’ve created a labyrinthine collection for everyone, whether you are an interested adult learner, dreaming of donning a velvet smoking jacket and immersing yourself in a fireside expedition through canonical scholarship or a budding researcher, eager to equip yourself for exciting fieldwork. For university and A level students, your studies should not be just a matter of cramming knowledge into your head: here, you can relax, immerse yourself in your specialism and enjoy it!
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Realists and Romantics: an Introduction to the Art of Post-Revolutionary France
Explore the dialogue between Neoclassical Realists and Romantics in Post-Revolutionary France and discover their surprising commonalities! Jacques-Louis David’s Oath of the Horatii (1784) As we saw in our post on Rococo art, the years 1774-1848 are sometimes called the “Age of Revolution” because of the way these years shaped European and world history, from the collapse of the Ancien Regime, the French Enlightenment and Revolution (1789), the American Revolution, the Britis
5 days ago
Rococo to Revolution: An Introduction to European Art in the Eighteenth Century
Experience the opulence and fantasy of Rococo art against the backdrop of the Enlightenment and brewing revolution! François Boucher’s The Marquise de Pompadour (1756) Rococo began in the early 1700s in the decorative arts such as furniture, fabrics, tapestries, glassware and silverware. It was popular in the 1730s until the 1770s. You can recognise it through its light colours like blues, and greens and pinks, curved lines, and inspiration from the natural world. There were
May 18
Dynamism and Drama: An Introduction to Art in The Baroque Period
In this post, meet some of the most important artist of the Baroque. Find out how artists used dynamism and abundant forms to create intensity and drama—and how other artists had very different ideas! Caravaggio’s The Inspiration of Saint Matthew (1602) The term “Baroque” is used to describe the art of the 17th and part of the 18th century, (1600–1730) but it can also be used to identify a certain type of art that uses dynamic and abundant forms and dramatic and intense feeli
May 11
Domesticity, Darkness and Light: An Introduction to the Art of The Dutch Golden Age
Discover the art of the Dutch Golden Age and meet superstars like Hals, Rembrandt and Vermeer! Part six in our Introduction to Art series. Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665) You’ll recognise paintings of the Dutch Golden age from the move away from religious subjects to focus on everyday life, use of dramatic light and shadow and use of realism, with a subjects like civic pride, wealth, and trade. The Dutch Golden Age is roughly dated from 1588, when the Du
May 4
Devotion and Detail: Early Netherlandish Art and The Northern Renaissance
In our last three posts, we focused on the Italian Renaissance. In the same period, Northern Europe was experiencing a Renaissance of its own. Find out how these artists combined religious devotion, symbolism and attention to detail, incorporated the viewer into their work and invented the genre of landscape painting! Part five in our Introduction to Art series. Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) People use the term, “the Northern Renaissance” to refer to the Renais
Apr 27
Distortion and Drama: An Introduction to Late Renaissance Art
In our last post, we saw that the art of the High Renaissance (1490-1527) is known for the idealisation of the human figure and compositional geometry. In the late Renaissance, artists sought to go beyond these ideals, experimenting with contorted compositions, elongated figures and drama. Part four in our Introduction to Art series. Parmigianino’s Madonna with the Long Neck (1534–40) Europe in the mid-sixteenth century was changing. Protestantism was challenging the Cathol
Apr 20
Beautiful Bodies and Divine Geometry: An Introduction to High Renaissance Art and Architecture
In our last post, we saw that Renaissance art aimed at more human-orientated depictions of reality and human emotions using techniques to create volume and spatial depth, such as linear perspective, foreshortening, and chiaroscuro. In the High Renaissance, these trends continued, but there was an extra emphasis on compositional geometry and the perfection of the human form. Find out more in this post and meet some of the biggest stars of the High Renaissance—Leonardo, Michel
Apr 13
Reviving Antiquity: An Introduction to Early Renaissance Art and Architecture
Explore the brilliant new techniques of early Renaissance painting, the rise of Florence as a cultural centre and the powerful Medici family in this introduction to the early Renaissance! Part two in our Introduction to Art series. Fra Angelico’s Annunciation (c. 1443) In our last post, we introduced the art and architecture of medieval Europe. We saw that medieval art of the Byzantine style favoured devotional, Christian subjects, lavish use of gold and flattened, elongated
Apr 6
Illumination in the Dark Age: An Introduction to Medieval Art and Architecture
From the Byzantine churches of Constantinople and Greece to the thirteenth century Gothic Cathedrals, the medieval period has a lot to offer! Delve into the frescoes and mosaics, illuminated manuscripts, tapestries and golden chalices of the dark ages in this quick introduction to Europe’s medieval art and architecture. Part one in our Introduction to Art series. Folio from the eighth century Lindisfarne Gospels Introducing the Medieval Period The Medieval Period is usual
Mar 30
The Secret History of Paris
Paris is so full of history, art, high fashion and intellectual life that it can feel overwhelming to try to get to know it. Most of the “secrets” in this blog post are actually quite well-known—but they’re things that many people feel they should know about but don’t know where to start. Dr. Orton explains that the secret to getting to know Paris is to take cue from its history… Paris has always been a symbol of culture and sophistication, and many people feel that to be r
Mar 23
The Yew Tree: Durability, Divination and Death
Many of our native trees have a special association with Anglo-Saxon paganism. In this week’s post, Dr. Orton investigates the yew tree. Part of our Trees and Anglo-Saxon Paganism series , in which we explore the links between our native British trees and Anglo-Saxon paganism!* This series is more academically dense than some of our other posts. For a quicker, more accessible read, take a look at our posts about our baby tawny owls , polecats or animals that live in ou
Mar 16
The Rowan Tree: A Symbol of Protection
Many of our native trees have a special association with Anglo-Saxon paganism. In this week’s post, Dr. Orton investigates the rowan tree. Part of our Trees and Anglo-Saxon Paganism series , in which we explore the links between our native British trees and Anglo-Saxon paganism!* This series is more academically dense than some of our other posts. For a quicker, more accessible read, take a look at our posts about our baby tawny owls , polecats or animals that live in
Mar 9
The Birch Tree: A Symbol of Femininity and Fertility
Many of our native trees have a special association with Anglo-Saxon paganism. In this week’s post, Dr. Orton investigates the birch tree. Part of our Trees and Anglo-Saxon Paganism series , in which we explore the links between our native British trees and Anglo-Saxon paganism!* This series is more academically dense than some of our other posts. For a quicker, more accessible read, take a look at our posts about our baby tawny owls , polecats or animals that live i
Mar 2
Dreaming Spires and Limestone Mandala: Oxford’s Secret History
Dr. Orton spent a year studying for her Masters’ degree in the historic city of Oxford. Here, she lets us into the secrets of Oxford slang, its literary history and world-class university and the city’s best drinking-spots. Magdalen College My time as a student at Oxford University flew by quickly. I was researching Himalayan religions, studying Tibetan and doing fieldwork in the Indian Himalayas all over the course of one academic year, so there was a lot to cram in. I di
Feb 23
The Oak Tree and the God of Thunder
Many of our native trees have a special association with Anglo-Saxon paganism. Last week, we looked at the ash tree and its link to Woden and the runes . In this week’s post, Dr. Orton investigates the oak tree and its possible links to the god of thunder! Part three of our Trees and Anglo-Saxon Paganism series, in which we explore the links between our native British trees and Anglo-Saxon paganism!* This series is more academically dense than some of our other posts. For
Jan 19
The Ash Tree: England’s Link to the Ancient Runes
We’ve planted our own native woodland and named it Woden’s Wood, after the Anglo-Saxon god Woden , Allfather of the English people ! Many of our native trees have a special association with Anglo-Saxon paganism. In this week’s post, Dr. Orton investigates the ash tree, England’s link to the ancient runes! Part of our Trees and Anglo-Saxon Paganism series, in which we explore the links between our native British trees and Anglo-Saxon paganism!* This series is more acade
Jan 14
Native British Trees and Anglo-Saxon Paganism
Introducing our new series, in which we explore the links between our native British trees and Anglo-Saxon paganism!* This post serves as a caveat for the historical claims in the following posts, as well as the use of certain terminology, before we get to the investigation of different trees in the main series! This series is more academically dense than some of our other posts. For a quicker, more accessible read, take a look at our posts about our native woodland or anima
Jan 8
The Pagan Festival of Yule
In our last post, we dived into the debate about the pagan origins of Christmas . But it’s also illuminating—and fairer to both Christians and pagans—to think about the festivals separately, so this week, we are taking a look at the pagan festival of Yule! For Northern European pagans, the season of Yule was a time for feasting and merrymaking, vows, ghosts and witches. The power of the spirits was at its height on Yule’s eve. Not only was it a season of darkness in the wi
Dec 15, 2025
Is Christmas Pagan?
In our last post, we looked at how the Christmas story has inspired philosophers, artists, dramatists and theologians throughout the ages. It seems like every year, there are debates about the origin of the Christmas festival in Europe—most notably whether the early Christians appropriated a pagan festival for their own religion. But things are not so straightforward, as Dr. Orton discovers! A Level students will find this a useful summary of some of the background topics
Dec 8, 2025
The Christmas Story: The Annunciation and Nativity
The Christmas story is one of the most important and influential narratives in world history. It has inspired philosophers, artists, dramatists and theologians throughout the ages and has enormous significance for Christians today. Dr. Orton investigates… A Level students will find this useful background for some of the topics you will need for your exams. For university-level scholars or independent researchers , we’ve included clickable links to useful literature and can
Dec 5, 2025
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