Art and design

From a secluded valley in Uzbekistan to a sacred Canadian island you can see but not touch, these images captivated BBC.com's photo editors this year.

Dozens of mysterious structures across the Northern Hemisphere – some nearly 5,000 years old – align precisely to frame the rising and setting Sun on midwinter's shortest day.

There is an art to rivalry. Mastering its rules has, since ancient times, shaped cultural history over millennia.

As one of architecture's most provocative and creative forces, Frank Gehry was behind intriguing buildings the world over.

Hidden for decades from public view, the artist's Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer has now sold at auction for a record sum. Why is it so valuable?

Jacques-Louis David's The Death of Marat is a deceptively simple image of a real-life murder. But a closer look at the iconic painting reveals the political messages contained within.

Man Ray's 1924 image Le Violon d'Ingres, of a woman's body transformed into a violin, has continued to fascinate, confuse and upset viewers, more than 100 years on.

Where better to hunker down in the autumn than the ultimate snug home? The thatched cottage is romantic, sustainable, has a long, proud tradition – and is now enjoying a revival.