Samuel West
The Private Life of a Masterpiece (2001)
Season 8
Private Life of a Masterpiece is a BBC arts documentary series that tells the stories behind great works of art reaching from the Renaissance to modern art. David by Michelangelo, The Scream by Edvard Munch, The Third of May 1808 by Francisco Goya, The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn, Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Pablo Picasso, The Annunciation by Jan van Eyck, ... The Art of Painting by Johannes Vermeer. For behind the beautiful canvases and sculptures are tales of political revolution, wartime escapes, massive ego clashes, social scandal, financial wrangling and shocking violence. The series reveals the full and fascinating stories behind famous works of art, not just how they came to be created, but also how they influenced others and came to have a life of their own in the modern world.
Released Dec. 8, 2001
Episode 50 min
None+
Genres: Documentary
Keywords: imdb.art-documentary, imdb.female-nudity, imdb.female-frontal-nudity, imdb.female-pubic-hair, imdb.female-rear-nudity
Production Companies: Fulmar TV & Film
Network: BBC Two
Country: United Kingdom
Languages:
English
S8E1 - Caravaggio: The Taking of Christ
When Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio completed his portrayal of Christ's betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane in 1602, the image became one of the most celebrated paintings of the age. Two centuries later, however, this most radical of religious images had apparently vanished from the face of the earth, leading it to become known as Caravaggio's lost masterpiece. This documentary tells the story of the painting and its dramatic rediscovery in 1990.
April 11, 2009, midnight
S8E2 - Sandro Botticelli: The Mystic Nativity
It's a painting that lovers of mystery fiction should love. Botticelli's Mystic Nativity is a Renaissance masterpiece crammed with cryptic symbols disguising a dangerous message. But it is much more besides. Painted in 1500, it is a supremely beautiful vision of maternal love, earthly harmony and heavenly ecstasy. However, the painting also has a dark side. Botticelli had to carefully conceal its dangerous meaning, and only a recent chance discovery by a scholar fully unlocked its message.
Dec. 25, 2009, midnight
Network: BBC Two
Episode Runtime: 50 min.
Season Runtime: 50 min.
Released: Dec. 8, 2001
Last Air Date: Oct. 25, 2010, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR
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