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The Guardian’s Interactive Art Quiz LaunchThe Guardian released a new online quiz on 21 June 2026, inviting readers to test their knowledge of famous artworks, starting with Vincent van Gogh’s iconic Sunflowers.Quiz Structure and Featured MasterpiecesThe quiz comprises ten multiple‑choice questions covering a range of European paintings from the 15th to the 19th century. Highlights include:Van Gogh’s Sunflowers – how many versions did he paint?Jean‑Étienne Liotard’s The Lavergne Family Breakfast – medium identification.Sandro Botticelli’s Venus and Mars – patron family.Paul Delaroche’s The Execution of Lady Jane Grey – length of reign.J.M.W. Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire – artist’s birthplace.Numbers Behind the Quiz: Questions, Topics, and ParticipationThe quiz features:10 questions total.5 distinct art periods (Renaissance to 19th‑century Romanticism).Images sourced from the National Gallery, British Museum and other UK collections.Early analytics show an average completion time of 2 minutes and a 78 % correct‑answer rate across the first 5 000 participants.Why Interactive Quizzes Boost Public Engagement with ArtBy turning museum highlights into bite‑size challenges, the Guardian taps into the growing appetite for gamified learning. The format encourages sharing on social media, driving traffic to partner institutions and raising awareness of lesser‑known works.Future of Digital Art Education and Museum PartnershipsSuccess of this quiz suggests more collaborations between news outlets and cultural institutions. Expect deeper integrations such as AR‑enhanced questions, real‑time leaderboards and curated virtual tours that blend education with entertainment.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has issued new guidelines urging bird enthusiasts to take down their bird feeders during the summer months to help prevent the spread of avian diseases. This move aims to protect bird species such as the greenfinch, whose numbers have drastically declined due to the outbreak of trichomonosis, a parasitic disease.According to the RSPB, garden birds should not be fed seeds and nuts between May and October, as this can lead to the clustering of birds around feeders, facilitating the transmission of diseases. Instead, bird lovers are advised to offer small amounts of protein-rich food sources like mealworms, fat balls, or suet, which tend to attract fewer birds and are beneficial for their health.The greenfinch population has plummeted by 67% since 1979, with an estimated 6 million birds dying from trichomonosis in recent years. The RSPB's guidance also includes recommendations for bird-friendly garden planting, such as sunflowers, teasels, and ivy, which provide natural sources of food and encourage insects that are crucial for many garden birds.The RSPB emphasizes that feeding birds can still be beneficial if done safely and seasonally. During the winter months, seeds and peanuts can be offered, but bird tables and flat-surfaced feeders should be avoided, as they can collect contaminated food. Regular cleaning and maintenance of feeders and water sources are also crucial in preventing the spread of diseases.The Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 results show that the house sparrow remains the most-seen bird, followed by the blue tit and starling. The greenfinch, however, has seen a significant decline in its population and now ranks 18th in the survey.