This is a fabulous book for dipping into, or giving as a gift. It's modest in size but it has 70 full page pictures throughout - photographs of the artworks being described. The author is Nick Trend, art historian and editor at the 'Daily Telegraph'. There's a real cross-section of artworks and it's a wonderful way to explore familiar and not-so-familiar pictures.

The book begins by asking to us consider the relationship of artist and subject. The author suggests we unpick what each artwork tells us about the emotions behind it.

He introduces us to works from Caravaggio, Georgian O'Keefe, Picaso, Frida Kahlo, Chagall, Rembrandt, and many more. There are landscapes and still life as well as portraits and self-portraits.

The book is divided into themes - of love triangles, secret affairs and burning passions. What do the paintings tell us of how the artist endures the pain of unrequited love or basks in the joy of a wonderfully supportive friendship?

I've been attending some art lectures recently where we look at a few pictures each week and ponder what they can really tell us about a time and a place, an emotion and a message. I very much enjoyed this book where the author has shared his thoughts and research into the story behind a painting. Through the passions that inspired the world's greatest masterpieces, 'it's a new and accessible way to understand art,' says the blurb.