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 Prince King’s intimate photographs, this episode invites you to look beyond romantic clichés and consider how art reveals the complexity of human connection.
The conversation touches on themes of mythmaking, the power of the artist’s gaze, and how women artists have redefined love’s visual language. Whether you’re a romantic, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode asks you to see love—and art—with new eyes.
Get your copy of What Art Can Tell Us About Love: https://www.laurenceking.com/collections/author-nick-trend
Connect with Nick: https://www.instagram.com/nicktrend/
Connect with Liz at Matter of Art on the podcast website: https://matterofart.co/.
Episode art: What Art Can Tell Us About Love (Laurence King, 2025).
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