Matter of Art

What can a painting tell us about passion—or pain? In this episode of Matter of Art, Liz sits down with author, art historian, and Daily Telegraph Culture Editor Nick Trend to discuss his new book, What Art Can Tell Us About Love (Laurence King, 2025). Together, they explore how love—ecstatic, enduring, obsessive, and even uncomfortable—has been expressed by artists across centuries. From Raphael’s ambiguous portraits to Clifford P...

What happens when sculpture isn’t just seen—but touched, kissed, and even believed to come alive?

In this episode, Liz speaks with Dr. Una D’Elia about the tactile and emotional power of Renaissance devotional sculpture. From crucifixes with moveable joints to sculptures dressed and cradled, we explore how sacred objects were animated through ritual, touch, and intimacy.

We begin in 1399 Pisa, where, in the middle of a plague, crowds...

What happens when masterpieces vanish? In this episode, we uncover history’s most shocking art heists—from the Mona Lisa’s daring 1911 theft to the still-unsolved Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum robbery. We also explore the disappearance of The Just Judges panel from the Ghent Altarpiece and the mystery surrounding Salvator Mundi, the world’s most expensive painting. Where do stolen artworks go, and will they ever be found? Tune in...

In this episode of Matter of Art, we sit down with Daria Murphy, a scholar and curator whose work bridges craft history, East Asian art, and global material culture. From her academic journey—spanning the University of Toronto, Bard Graduate Center, and Queen’s University—to her curatorial experiences, we explore how her research on textiles, ceramics, and cross-cultural exchanges informs her work. Daria shares insights into her in...

In this episode, I share with you the digital exhibition Crafting Flesh: Collaboration in Italian Multimedia Sculpture, 1300–1700, which uncovers the many hands and minds that collaborated to create multimedia sculptures in the Renaissance. From painted wood to marble, we discuss how materials and techniques came together to create evocative works of art. Join me and three other co-curators (Faith Brooks, Ilinca Stingaciu, and Flav...

In this episode we speak to Nerine Cavadias, an interdisciplinary artist based in Toronto, Canada whose art is shaped by unique intersections of memory, heritage, and aphantasia—a rare inability to visualize images and a condition that affects only 1-3% of people. Nerine shares how she draws on family history and explores mental health through her work, transforming complex themes into compelling visual stories. Join us as we explo...

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Ron Spronk, a leading expert in technical art history and professor of art history. Known for his groundbreaking work on projects like The Ghent Altarpiece restoration and Closer to Van Eyck, the Bosch Research and Conservation Project, and Bruegel, the Hand of the Master (Inside Bruegel), Dr. Spronk has transformed how we understand and preserve cultural heritage. Join us as we explore the fasc...

In this episode, we sit down with three master’s students in Art History and Art Conservation to explore their unique summer internships and research experiences. Sophie Morris and Sonia Gaiess offer a glimpse into the fascinating worlds of private and museum conservation, while Sarah Tomkins takes us on her journey of hands-on, primary research at the renowned Venice Biennale.

Connect with Liz at Matter of Art on the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Episode five explores the myth of the "artist genius" through the life and work of Rembrandt van Rijn. Inspired by a university class on the Art of Deception, we delve into Rembrandt's market-savvy practices, his studio's collaborative nature, and how his entrepreneurial spirit redefined authorship. Discover how Rembrandt's approach challenges the notion of solitary genius, shedding light on the contributions ...

Let’s explore the deep roots of crucifixion imagery, from ancient Roman execution methods to its transformative representation in art. We’ll journey through Renaissance polychrome sculptures, understanding how artists depicted Christ's suffering to convey powerful narratives. We culminate with Salvador Dalí’s "Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubus)," blending Catholicism, science, and surrealism in a groundbreaking 20th-cent...

In this episode we learn about the life and work of American artist Carrie Mae Weems. In the first part of the episode, we explore the themes and methods most pertinent to Weems’s oeuvre while in the second part, we discuss The Kitchen Table Series—a seminal work by Weems—and its negotiation of space, power and intimacy.

Connect with Liz at Matter of Art on the podcast ⁠website⁠: ⁠https://matterofart.crd.co/⁠.

Sources:

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In conversation with Queen’s University Professor Dawn Cunningham, we learn how to look at and interpret art critically, and we discuss the prevalence of art forgeries and their impact on our experience and understanding of art history. Together we answer questions including: What are some key elements we should consider when looking at a piece of art? What impact do forgeries have on the art market, the cultural value of art, and ...

In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life and art of Sargy Mann, a British painter of landscapes and portraits who continued to create after losing his sight. We will discover how Sargy’s unique vision transcended traditional perceptions, offering profound insights into how we experience art. We will also discuss how we can better appreciate art and the world around us, challenging ourselves to look beyond appearances.

Con...