Passion in Love and Art

Artists through the ages have been inspired by love, whether in the throes of an affair or the pain of unrequited desire.

Now art historian Nick Trend has produced a guide to understanding art through the passions that inspired some of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

What Art Can Tell Us About Love explores how the theme of love has influenced artists in different situations as soul mates, in secret affairs and in love triangles, and found its way into an array of subjects from landscapes to still life and self-portraits.

Beautifully illustrated with full-colour photographs of more than 70 artworks, the book includes Caravaggio, Georgia O’Keefe, Frida Kahlo and many more.

The author, who is chief culture editor for the travel desk of the Daily Telegraph, has spent nearly three decades writing about the world’s art treasures and has produced guides to many museums and art collections.

Nick Trend is at the Festival on Sunday 19 October at 12.00 noon.