Merry Christmas Everyone!!! For this special Christmas Talk Art, Russell & Robert meet Stephen Fry, the legendary British actor, writer, comedian and all-round national treasure!!! This feature-length special episode was recorded remotely during lockdown from his home in Norfolk!

We learn about Stendhal Syndrome where people faint upon looking at artworks of great beauty, the history of the Royal Academy (where he is a trustee), his admiration for Velázquez's 'Portrait of Pope Innocent X', his memories of meeting artists Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst plus what it was like to have his portrait painted by artists including Jonathan Yeo and Maggi Hambling (now part of the National Portrait Gallery's collection). We discuss art and mental health and discover the works he collects and lives with including 1920s portrait photographs by Cecil Beaton, a series of portrait paintings by Annie Kevans, Maggi Hambling ‘dragon sunrises’ and sea paintings and Howard Hodgkin’s Olympic print ‘Swimming’ (2011) that Robert sold to Stephen back in 2012! We consider Oscar Wilde’s lasting impact on art & the art world, the bad taste of global dictators and listen to his fascinating thoughts on the history of nudity in art including paintings of Adam & Eve and Saint Sebastian. Plus Stephen reads us a famous parable by Oscar Wilde - what more could you ask for this festive season??!!! Happy Holidays!!! Thank you for supporting and listening to Talk Art this year.

Follow @StephenFry on Twitter and @StephenFryActually on Instagram. Visit Stephen’s official website at www.StephenFry.com His new book ‘Troy’ is out now in hardback, ebook and audiobook!

For images of all artworks discussed in this episode visit @TalkArt. Talk Art theme music by Jack Northover @JackNorthoverMusic courtesy of HowlTown.com We've just joined Twitter too @TalkArt. If you've enjoyed this episode PLEASE leave us your feedback and maybe 5 stars if we're worthy in the Apple Podcast store. For all requests, please email [email protected]

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