The Latest Breaking News from Vermeer

Tests were carried out on the Harvard Law School Library document and it was confirmed to be an original issue of the Magna Carta from 1300.

Canals, architecture, art, an enviable cycling culture … There are lots of reasons to take a city break in the Netherlands, without needing to set foot in the overtouristed ‘other’ capital

Our critic’s highlights included spotlit Vermeer, mouse-fur beauty spots, Donatello saints, Alice Neel’s New Yorkers and the reopening of an underloved institution

Bever is making a name for himself by shooting Londoners in retro football shirts, inspired by paintings throughout the ages. He speaks to Hayley Spencer about charity shops, celebrity shoots, and why Instagram is a great place for contemporary artists

Comprehensive collection of the 17th-century painter’s work aims to place him alongside Rembrandt and Vermeer, but his technically brilliant paintings are weirdly soulless

With time-stopping attention to detail, the Observer’s art critic searches for redemption in the rubble of the catastrophic Delft explosion of 1654 – to miraculous effect

The critic explains her fascination with Carel Fabritius, whose studio was destroyed in a 17th-century explosion

With the Amsterdam blockbuster all sold out, our writer picks 10 alternative arty must-sees in Europe – all reachable by train

Ahmed Rabbani was held in the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay for nearly 20 years and was eventually released without charge in February. Ahmed says his paintings denounce the torture he suffered at the hands of his captors and is asking the US military to return the artwork he…