The German pensioner accused of hiding a vast Nazi-era collection of artwork in his Munich flat has publicly insisted that the paintings are his "private property".

Already in the hours since the death of Doris Lessing was announced, many people will have watched a widely circulated video, filmed on her doorstep in 2007.

Doris Lessing, the Nobel prize-winning, free-thinking, world-traveling and often-polarising author has died at the age of 94.

When a mutual friend introduced Lucian Freud to Francis Bacon it seeded a competitive friendship between the two titans of 20th century figurative art, who made each other a favoured subject.

When German tax authorities entered the home of a recluse collector and found a trove of art that could include works stolen by the Nazis, they stepped into a legal quagmire - one that may end up being resolved by politics as much as the law.

It started with a routine check by German tax inspectors - and resulted in the discovery of an art hoard so vast and spectacular that no one yet knows how the story truly ends.

Play embraces the digital age, writes Barney McDonald.

Julianne Moore, star of stage and screen, mother of two and successful children's writer, remains the most unaffected of actresses despite her illustrious career.

An artwork depicting controversial strikes on Auckland's waterfront 100 years ago has been covered up ahead of its removal this morning.

She was New Zealand's first Poet Laureate and now Michele Leggott has won the PM's award for literature, which she'll receive in Wellington tonight.

Online portal open all hours puts buyers close-up in front of works throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Does he like peeling onions? Michael Hurst looks bemused by the question - he is eating a home-made salad of piquant appearance - so he pauses, fork in mid-air, and tilts his head.

He became the first New Zealander to be convicted for art forgery, but Carl Goldie's family don't think he minded too much.

British street art superstar Banksy says police have prevented him from creating a new piece of art in New York as promised on each day of the month.