You may have seen the glorious painting, Flaming June by Frederic Leighton, showing a sleeping woman in an orange dress. Samuel Courtauld once called it ‘the most wonderful painting in existence’. But if it were to be painted today, I doubt whether the sensual masterpiece would be given the same name. Or, if it was, it might be given a trigger warning. The eco-activists wouldn’t be impressed: ‘June’s “flaming” because of climate change, you irresponsible boomers – let’s chuck some soup on it!’
