Matter of Art

Browse the visual companion to this episode: https://matterofart.co/ep18 In this episode, we speak with historian and curator Jeremy Reeves about the cultural lives of arms and armour in early modern Europe. Moving beyond the battlefield, the conversation explores what happens when firearms are understood as crafted objects embedded within systems of art, status, technology, and power. Jeremy disc...

In this episode, I speak with Jen Liu , PhD student at the University of Toronto, about the hidden stories behind baroque bronze sculpture. Focusing on Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Cathedra Petri in St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as other contemporaneous projects in the Vatican, we discuss how large foundry teams—often erased from art historical narratives—were essential to bringing these works into bein...

In the heart of Central Park, the Angel of the Waters rises above the Bethesda Fountain—one of New York’s most beloved public monuments. But few know the name of the woman who created it. Emma Stebbins (1815–1882) was the first woman to receive a public art commission in New York City, a celebrated sculptor in her day, and a pioneering queer artist whose legacy was later written out of history. In...

Too often written off as decorative fluff, the Rococo wasmore than gilded mirrors and pastel palettes: it marked a profound shift in art and society. In this episode, I’m joined by Faith Brooks, a PhD student in art history, to explore how the Rococo emerged in 18th-century France as the aristocracy turned away from Versailles-style absolutism toward intimacy,salons, and private pleasure. From Bou...

How do museums tell stories—and whose stories do they tell? In this episode, I sit down with Emily Croft , a PhD student whose research digs deep into the archaeological museums of Sardinia, Italy. Between 1861 and 1939, these museums were more than just quiet halls filled with ancient objects—they were political tools used to craft a national identity in a newly unified Italy. Emily takes us behi...

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...

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, whe...

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,...

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 wor...

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...

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 compellin...

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 Eyc k , 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 h...

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...

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, s...

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 surre...

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://...

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 mark...

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 oursel...