Neil Jeffares
@neiljeffares.bsky.social
Art historian
https://neiljeffares.wordpress.com/about/
www.pastellists.com
Any views posted on pictures etc. are subject to disclaimer on website: expressions of opinion with inadequate space for qualification. Consult Dictionary for more
https://neiljeffares.wordpress.com/about/
www.pastellists.com
Any views posted on pictures etc. are subject to disclaimer on website: expressions of opinion with inadequate space for qualification. Consult Dictionary for more
And it's such a small yield for so much aggravation. Virtually every value in the £2-6m range will be contested. Valuers', surveyors' and legal costs on each appeal c.£20-30k. The only people who will pay the charge are the middle classes who can't afford it and can't afford to contest it.
Bonkers
Bonkers
she was adamantly opposed to capital values .. I do think reval on sale is still a v sensible idea
November 29, 2025 at 11:43 AM
And it's such a small yield for so much aggravation. Virtually every value in the £2-6m range will be contested. Valuers', surveyors' and legal costs on each appeal c.£20-30k. The only people who will pay the charge are the middle classes who can't afford it and can't afford to contest it.
Bonkers
Bonkers
Reposted by Neil Jeffares
💯 this. Thatcher & Kinnock were probably no cleverer than most politicians today. But read their speeches: they made serious arguments about the nature of the state & the meaning of democracy.
No one wants philosophers in charge. But you do need a compass if you're going to steer in a straight line
No one wants philosophers in charge. But you do need a compass if you're going to steer in a straight line
We have got to make politics intellectual again. It is the only way that societies thrive is when politicians have the capability to actually think and reflect deeply:
![I confess that I always had difficulty with interpreting the Biblical precept to love our neighbours “as ourselves” until I read some of the words of C.S. Lewis. He pointed out that we don't exactly love ourselves when we fall below the standards and beliefs we have accepted. Indeed we might even hate ourselves for some unworthy deed.
None of this, of course, tells us exactly what kind of political and social institutions we should have. On this point, Christians will very often genuinely disagree, though it is a mark of Christian manners that they will do so with courtesy and mutual respect. [Applause] What is certain, however, is that any set of social and economic arrangements which is not founded on the acceptance of individual responsibility will do nothing but harm.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xbnsfdtxoothg654ujxe3p25/bafkreicrdgbtvm54qnmttwe6crhxwt4be5v3izjmqtnvlxmaljwg5wolai@jpeg)
November 28, 2025 at 8:58 PM
💯 this. Thatcher & Kinnock were probably no cleverer than most politicians today. But read their speeches: they made serious arguments about the nature of the state & the meaning of democracy.
No one wants philosophers in charge. But you do need a compass if you're going to steer in a straight line
No one wants philosophers in charge. But you do need a compass if you're going to steer in a straight line
Indeed. But it's not only human rights: international law has become optional. Blind eye to Israel's transgressions; Russia's, justifiably criticised, are met with a plan to seize Russians' investments in breach of intl law (and a principle not applied to the many other objectionable regimes)
Like the Conservatives did. Labour are morphing into something ugly & unrecognisable from their previous self
Amnesty Intl has slammed Labour’s “divisive & cruel” asylum crackdown, warning that it marks a dangerous drift toward treating fundamental human rights as optional depending on who you are
Amnesty Intl has slammed Labour’s “divisive & cruel” asylum crackdown, warning that it marks a dangerous drift toward treating fundamental human rights as optional depending on who you are
Amnesty slam Labour's 'divisive and cruel' asylum crackdown
"This headline-chasing cruelty will not fix the immigration system. It will only fuel fear"
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Indeed. But it's not only human rights: international law has become optional. Blind eye to Israel's transgressions; Russia's, justifiably criticised, are met with a plan to seize Russians' investments in breach of intl law (and a principle not applied to the many other objectionable regimes)
I'm surprised no one bothered to do the five minutes' research required to find Catherine Derryck, from an Antwerp family, married Thomas Humble in London in 1700, buried 26.xii.1724; will full of info
www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6...
www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6...
November 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I'm surprised no one bothered to do the five minutes' research required to find Catherine Derryck, from an Antwerp family, married Thomas Humble in London in 1700, buried 26.xii.1724; will full of info
www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6...
www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6...
Labour's willingness to justify positions it knows to be morally wrong (on immigration or even Gaza) just because they think it will improve electability is almost more repugnant than the position of parties who genuinely have those views.
Its authenticity is clear to voters so it doesn't even work
Its authenticity is clear to voters so it doesn't even work
"this government’s biggest failing, which is that it is essentially incapable of saying that racism is wrong, full stop"
Stephen Bush, hitting one of many nails on the head about the ludicrous approach the government is taking ATM.
Stephen Bush, hitting one of many nails on the head about the ludicrous approach the government is taking ATM.
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
November 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Labour's willingness to justify positions it knows to be morally wrong (on immigration or even Gaza) just because they think it will improve electability is almost more repugnant than the position of parties who genuinely have those views.
Its authenticity is clear to voters so it doesn't even work
Its authenticity is clear to voters so it doesn't even work
I made two complaints to the ICO re public bodies' responses to FOIA requests several weeks ago. I'm told the delay before consideration is running at 24 weeks at present . Suspect both bodies well aware of this and relying on it.
November 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I made two complaints to the ICO re public bodies' responses to FOIA requests several weeks ago. I'm told the delay before consideration is running at 24 weeks at present . Suspect both bodies well aware of this and relying on it.
He's not talking about Hogarth's...
One of the emails released today by House Democrats concerns direct correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
An email from Epstein to Maxwell in April 2011 reads: “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is trump.. [
An email from Epstein to Maxwell in April 2011 reads: “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is trump.. [
November 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
He's not talking about Hogarth's...
They used to say of dodgy politicians they had "something of the night about them"; Streeting has something of the dark alley
If he was a doll in my grandmother's house, I'd refuse to sleep there.
November 12, 2025 at 9:35 AM
They used to say of dodgy politicians they had "something of the night about them"; Streeting has something of the dark alley
Perronneau painted this couple one month after their marriage in Cestas
sothebys.com/en/buy/aucti...
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sothebys.com/en/buy/aucti...
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November 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Perronneau painted this couple one month after their marriage in Cestas
sothebys.com/en/buy/aucti...
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sothebys.com/en/buy/aucti...
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Shouldn't it be "by Royal Warrant..."?
I confess the Royal capital baffles me.
I confess the Royal capital baffles me.
“has been pleased”
“THE KING has been pleased by Warrant under His Royal Sign Manual dated 30 October 2025 to direct His Secretary of State to cause the Duke of York to be removed from the Roll of the Peerage with immediate effect.” thegazette.co.uk/notice/4992105
November 5, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Shouldn't it be "by Royal Warrant..."?
I confess the Royal capital baffles me.
I confess the Royal capital baffles me.
Sad to see Duncan Bull's obituary @burlingtonmagazine.bsky.social. He was insatiably curious and so variously knowledgeable, always a delight to see. But when he retired and returned to S Africa he seemed to withdraw from art history, quoting Horace in his 2021 email:
Eheu fugaces labuntur anni
Eheu fugaces labuntur anni
October 31, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Sad to see Duncan Bull's obituary @burlingtonmagazine.bsky.social. He was insatiably curious and so variously knowledgeable, always a delight to see. But when he retired and returned to S Africa he seemed to withdraw from art history, quoting Horace in his 2021 email:
Eheu fugaces labuntur anni
Eheu fugaces labuntur anni
...in the craw
October 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
...in the craw
The young look forward to receiving gifts on their birthdays...perhaps a favourite cardigan or dressing gown. The old moan the final disintegration of these treasures 40 years later
October 22, 2025 at 8:02 AM
The young look forward to receiving gifts on their birthdays...perhaps a favourite cardigan or dressing gown. The old moan the final disintegration of these treasures 40 years later
They're recreating the famous 1937 Toffs and Toughs photo. Although I don't think an OE would be seen dead with that umbrella
I need to know who the guy in the hat is.
This photo accompanying a news story about the heist at the Louvre is perfection.
October 20, 2025 at 6:59 PM
They're recreating the famous 1937 Toffs and Toughs photo. Although I don't think an OE would be seen dead with that umbrella
Has it really taken this long for the penny (or a rather larger amount) to drop?
Bailey warns of long-lasting growth drag from Brexit on.ft.com/48xrpTW
Bailey warns of long-lasting growth drag from Brexit
BoE governor was speaking as central bankers debate rising trade barriers including from Donald Trump’s policies
on.ft.com
October 18, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Has it really taken this long for the penny (or a rather larger amount) to drop?
Reposted by Neil Jeffares
The former BBC journalist Mishal Husain has questioned whether Shamima Begum would have been treated differently by the media if she were not Muslim ⬇️
Mishal Husain: Media treated Shamima Begum differently as a Muslim
The former BBC journalist criticises broadcasters for interviews with the teenager who fled to Syria to join Isis, conducted hours after she had given birth
www.thetimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The former BBC journalist Mishal Husain has questioned whether Shamima Begum would have been treated differently by the media if she were not Muslim ⬇️
Of course.
But don't forget the 2000 Palestinian hostages to be released later today, and the 10,000 more Israel will not release, including doctors and journalists, most never charged and many probably in degrading conditions. They hope we will forget now the Israelis are out
But don't forget the 2000 Palestinian hostages to be released later today, and the 10,000 more Israel will not release, including doctors and journalists, most never charged and many probably in degrading conditions. They hope we will forget now the Israelis are out
whatever else, it is fantastic news that the last living hostages have been freed after two years.
October 13, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Of course.
But don't forget the 2000 Palestinian hostages to be released later today, and the 10,000 more Israel will not release, including doctors and journalists, most never charged and many probably in degrading conditions. They hope we will forget now the Israelis are out
But don't forget the 2000 Palestinian hostages to be released later today, and the 10,000 more Israel will not release, including doctors and journalists, most never charged and many probably in degrading conditions. They hope we will forget now the Israelis are out
Indeed we haven't forgotten that Pitt introduced income tax as a temporary measure.
Today’s Times gives “urged” the entirely new meaning of “a lukewarm mention in the middle of a 66 page report”.
October 13, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Indeed we haven't forgotten that Pitt introduced income tax as a temporary measure.
Has this been thought through?
BREAKING: Specialist employment advisers will be based in GP surgeries and mental health services as part of government plans to get people back to work.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden speaks to #BBCBreakfast about the government’s plan to tackle long-term sickness
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden speaks to #BBCBreakfast about the government’s plan to tackle long-term sickness
October 9, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Has this been thought through?
Reposted by Neil Jeffares
Just seeing this on the page turns some people* into a blubbering mess.
*Me. It’s me.
*Me. It’s me.
October 1, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Just seeing this on the page turns some people* into a blubbering mess.
*Me. It’s me.
*Me. It’s me.
My comment on the Telegraph article on the Bayeux tapestry:
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
September 28, 2025 at 10:04 AM
My comment on the Telegraph article on the Bayeux tapestry:
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
What's he gained for UK in tariffs or defence, and was it worth turning a blind eye to genocide?
The political problem Trump presents for Keir Starmer is that keeping the US on side now requires increasingly absurd performances of self-abasement which Starmer's rivals within the Labour Party and the wider UK Left will use to fuel growing anger and frustration with Starmer among Labour's base
September 18, 2025 at 12:52 PM
What's he gained for UK in tariffs or defence, and was it worth turning a blind eye to genocide?
When he sees that photo I feel sure Humphy Trumpty will devise some new US order of chivalry so that he too can wear more bling. Expect the badge of the order to be gold
Donald Trump reçu en grande pompe par la famille royale britannique
Donald Trump reçu en grande pompe par la famille royale britannique
Le président américain a passé le premier jour de sa visite d’Etat au Royaume-Uni dans le château de Windsor, où étaient déployés les fastes de la monarchie.
www.lemonde.fr
September 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
When he sees that photo I feel sure Humphy Trumpty will devise some new US order of chivalry so that he too can wear more bling. Expect the badge of the order to be gold
Sorry...only £508,000...
The Rosalba pastel of Coulson Fellowes (J.21.0511 ) just sold for £520,000, an auction record for the artist
www.cheffins.co.uk/about/news/v...
www.cheffins.co.uk/about/news/v...
Fresh-to-market painting by Rosalba Carriera to go under the hammer - Cheffins News
It will be offered as part of The Fine Sale on 17th September
www.cheffins.co.uk
September 17, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Sorry...only £508,000...
Reposted by Neil Jeffares
I am very much hoping not to be out-bagged at the #MarieAntoinette exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
September 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I am very much hoping not to be out-bagged at the #MarieAntoinette exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum.