When Wrest Park’s Jemima, Marchioness Grey, was widowed, she unleashed her purse strings to install lavish Chinese art across the Bedfordshire estate: perfect for taking tea with friends.
You can get lost in the intricate birds, plants and people featured in Wrest Park’s Chinese wallpapers, but how was this part of a wider fashion in textiles, design and la ... Show More
Jul 10
‘Princely Shows’ and power: Elizabeth I at Kenilworth Castle
In the summer of 1575, Robert Dudley hosted 19 spectacular days of entertainment for Elizabeth I, including lavish new apartments for the queen, a beautifully manicured private garden, plays, hunting and pageantry. It was all in an ostentatious bid to win Elizabeth’s hand in marr ... Show More
34m 38s
Feb 2025
226. The Rise and Fall of East India Company Painting (Ep 2)
Calcutta in the late 18th century was a chaotic, fast-growing city, filled with fortune seekers, towering mansions, and an ever-present sense of impermanence. Inspired by the botanical and zoological paintings they encountered in Lucknow, Sir Elijah Impey, the first Chief Justice ... Show More
40m 18s
Jan 2025
217. Zebras and Zodiacs: Jahangir’s Art Revolution
Often overshadowed by his son’s architectural wonders like the Taj Mahal, Emperor Jahangir was a true connoisseur of beauty.
His reign witnessed a flourishing of art, architecture, and craftsmanship through his patronage of impressive workshops of artists who created vibrant mas ... Show More
50m 20s
Aug 2024
Indigenous Fashion Innovation: Past, Present, Future
Innovation and Indigenous fashion have gone hand in hand for time immemorial. From the original "couturiers" of America to those that represent the art form today, we explore the past, present and future of Indigenous design innovation with a compilation of past guest interviews ... Show More
30m 12s
Oct 2024
How the QR code was invented
In 1994, bar codes were in widespread use in businesses around the world, but the Japanese car component company, Denso Wave, wanted something quicker.So they asked one of their engineers, Masahiro Hara, to come up with a solution.After playing his favourite board game, Go, he ca ... Show More
10m 11s
Mar 2025
Barbie: The Fashion History of an Icon, Part I (Dressed Classic)
Barbie is so much more than a child's toy. Since making her debut in 1959, the Barbie doll has become a full-fledged global phenomenon--and fashion icon. In this three part series from 2023, we explore the fashion history and cultural significance of the world's most famous doll ... Show More
53m 24s