A History of Britain in 21 Paintings

The past is like a dark forest. Most of the details of our ancestors’ lives are forgotten, lost in the mists of time. Yet there are many sources – fireflies – that survive to illuminate our understanding of the past. In this case, those fireflies are paintings.

In this vibrant and insightful book, Alice Loxton travels across Britain in search of twenty-one extraordinary paintings. From the wall art of St Cadoc’s Church near Cardiff and the exquisite detail of daily life portrayed by L. S. Lowry to landmark works including ‘The Rainbow Portrait’ of Elizabeth I and Millais’ ‘Ophelia’, Loxton creates a fresh, transformative history of Britain.

Considering each piece from the viewer’s perspective, she explores how it feels standing before them, what they are trying to tell and what their real-life inspiration reveals about the period when they were created. Along the way, Loxton explores the lives of everyday people, unveils the historical, social and cultural shifts these paintings reflected and inspired, and challenges some of Britain’s most famous myths (who really was St George? Did the people of the Middle Ages think the world was flat? Why do Scots wear tartan? Why do us Brits love going to the pub?). This sweeping book reminds us that there are incredible stories to be discovered all across Britain, if only we take the time to look.