Matt does art with gloss

Matthew Collings's Channel 4 series and this tie-in book posit the theory that his four chosen artists represent the best of the 'painterly' tradition and form links in the line up to present-day modern art.

Titian, Rubens, Velazquez and - the wild card - Hogarth each get a chapter devoted to them in which Collings is keen to puncture the myths surrounding Old Masters and show these art giants in a more human light.

All good stuff, with some illuminating insights into their work (especially for a novice culture-vulture) if hard to grasp at times. Best of all, it makes you want to visit the nearest gallery, which is surely the point.