1: This is a thread on Ṣägga Krǝstos, aka Zaga Christ, based on my article: “I Was Not Born to Obey, but Rather to Command”: The Self-Fashioning of Ṣägga Krǝstos, an Ethiopian Traveler in Seventeenth-Century Europe. J. of Early Modern History (2021) doi.org/10.1163/157006…

The rosary of #MaryQueenofScots, just stolen from Arundel Castle. As I’ll be saying to Victoria Derbyshire BBC News (UK) at 10.30, they are irreplaceable. Her execution in 1587 In Fotheringhay was brutal and directed to be humiliating, in a hostile country. Denied most dignities -

Two new exhibitions – one at Charleston, Sussex, the other at Philip Mould, in London – shine welcome new light on this fascinating painter telegraph.co.uk/art/what-to-se…

NFTs explained 👌

'The world’s eighth wonder': meet Regency miniaturist and disability pioneer Sarah Biffin on.ft.com/3STFDE4

On the 1st of November we open our exhibition on Sarah Biffin (1784 - 1850) - an uplifting story a woman born with phocomelia (leaving her without arms or legs) who nonetheless made a celebrated career as portrait painter, including four monarchs as her patron. 1/2

As curator it's good to see my former uni tweeting about this! University of Bristol

Two years of research and tracking down works have culminated in a new exhibition “Without Hands” opening this Wednesday at our gallery in Pall Mall, featuring Sarah Biffin, born without arms and legs (1784), and who triumphed as a go-to Regency portraitist. All welcome.

Look at the beautiful work of Sarah Biffin (1784-1850) who painted miniatures without hands (she was born with phocomelia)! Had fascinating chat about her with Emma Rutherford at Philip Mould & Co, which has a new exhibition of Biffin’s work, for an upcoming podcast episode.

First show in 100 years of disabled Victorian artist Sarah Biffin opens in London theguardian.com/artanddesign/2…

Books | Against the odds—born in the 18th century without arms or legs—Sarah Biffin rose from life as a fairground attraction to become a professional and celebrated portrait miniaturist. Now, a new book offers a refreshing appraisal of her work and legacy ow.ly/YiEU50Lr6oO

Here is small film we have made on the “Amazing Sarah Biffin” - a highly accomplished 19th century portraitist born without arms and legs whose works we are exhibiting youtu.be/GAUVat2HfzY

Sarah Biffin, the celebrated Victorian miniaturist born without hands, gets her first major show in 100 years: bit.ly/3DyQpZM

So happy taking the incredible #sarahbiffin to a wider audience via BBC Front Row

Explore the tumultuous history of one of Britain’s best-known public spaces with David Olusoga in The People's Piazza: A History of Covent Garden, told using #BFINationalArchive footage as part of #StoryTrails. 📺 Sun 13 Nov, 9pm, BBC Two bbc.co.uk/coventgarden

Compton Verney buys rare 17th century double portrait of black and white women: buff.ly/3poFNcP

So, "Anna Bollein Queen" had a double chin. Not a big deal. Her daughter, Elizabeth I, is usually remembered as tall & slender but - and this is a little known fact about Elizabeth - she gained weight in the 1580s. Hilliard depicted her with an incipient double chin.

MAJOR NEW DISCOVERY featured today on Not Just the Tudors. 400-year-old portrait identified by Dr Elizabeth Goldring and Emma Rutherford

From the National Portrait Gallery’s new exhibition, Six Lives, this newly re-discovered and conserved portrait of Queen Kateryn Parr was painted late in Henry VIII’s reign. In an extravagantly bejewelled gown, she displays her wealth and status. But, there’s another message here too …

Six Lives in miniature. So thrilled to be giving a talk about these extraordinary women and their fascinating portraiture at the National Portrait Gallery next Friday. SIX 👑 will be performing too! Check out this link to find out more: npg.org.uk/whatson/event-…