Stories of Art

Frida Kahlo: A Star is Born (Part 3)

What led to Frida Kahlo's early death? And with Frida mania in full swing, have we now reached peak Frida? Join Alastair and James in the final episode on the life and work of the great Mexican artist, as they explore her difficult final years and her extraordinary afterlife.  Frida: The Making of an Icon is on at Tate Modern, London until 3rd January 2027. If you want to see the artworks discussed in this episode you can switch on video in your podcast app at any time.  Artworks in this episode:  Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair, 1940, The Museum of Modern Art, New York Frida Kahlo, The Broken Column, 1944, Museo Dolores Olmedo, Xochimilco, Mexico City Frida Kahlo, The Wounded Deer, 1946, Private collection For more great art content visit www.heni.com [https://www.heni.com] or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks [https://www.youtube.com/@HENITalks] Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox Additional Research: Catherine Ingram and Laura Spada Producer and Editor: Ben Harding Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

Frida Kahlo: The Elephant and the Dove (Part 2)

How did Frida Kahlo manage to emerge from the shadow of her husband, the artist Diego Rivera? And how did a dog with a sock in its mouth lead to the discovery of an affair? Join Alastair and James in the second of three episodes about the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, as they explore her tumultuous life in the 1930s and the development of her singular style of art. Artworks in this episode include: Frida Kahlo, Frieda and Diego Rivera, 1931, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco Frida Kahlo, Henry Ford Hospital, 1932, Dolores Olmedo Museum, Xochimilco, Mexico City Frida Kahlo, My Birth, 1932, Dolores Olmedo Museum, Xochimilco, Mexico City Frida Kahlo, A Few Small Nips, 1935 Dolores Olmedo Museum, Xochimilco, Mexico City Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939, Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City For more great art content visit www.heni.com [https://www.heni.com] or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks [https://www.youtube.com/@HENITalks] Frida: The Making of an Icon is on at Tate Modern, London until 3rd January 2027. Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox Additional Research: Catherine Ingram and Laura Spada Producer and Editor: Ben Harding Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction: The Elephant and the Dove * 00:06:24 Diego's Infidelities * 00:12:45 San Francisco and Detroit * 00:20:08 Henry Ford Hospital and My Birth * 00:41:32 A Few Small Nips * 00:45:08 Frida's Affairs * 00:51:58 Artistic Breakthrough * 00:59:10 The Two Fridas

Frida Kahlo: The Girl on the Bus (Part 1)

How did a bus crash change the course of art history? And what is the truth behind Frida Kahlo's family origins? Join Alastair and James as they embarked on a new three part series on the life and work of one of the world's most celebrated artists - Frida Kahlo. Artworks in this episode include: Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940, Nickolas Muray Collection of Mexican Art, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, Texas Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait (With Velvet Dress), 1926, Private Collection For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Frida: The Making of an Icon is on at Tate Modern, London until 3rd January 2027. Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Producer and Editor: Ben Harding Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

Michelangelo: The Master of Rome (Part 4)

Why was Michelangelo's Last Judgement seen as so controversial in his lifetime? And what, ultimately, has been his influence on the history of art? Join Alastair and James as they tell the story of the last few extraordinary decades in the life of Michelangelo. Artworks in this episode include: Michelangelo, The Laurentian Library, 1525-50 Copy after Michelangelo, Ganymede, 16th Century Luca Signorelli, The Damned in Hell, 1500-03, Orvieto Cathedral, Orvieto Michelangelo, The Last Judgement, 1535–1541, Vatican City Michelangelo, Study for The Last Judgement, 1535–1541, The British Museum, London Etienne DuPérac, Longitudinal Section Showing the Interior of Saint Peter's Basilica Etienne DuPérac, Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo Michelangelo, Rondanini Pietà, 1552-64, Castello Sforzesco, Milan For more great art content visit www.heni.com [https://www.heni.com] or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks [https://www.youtube.com/@HENITalks] Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Producer and Editor: Ben Harding Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction: The Flayed Skin Self-Portrait * 00:05:15 The Sack of Rome * 00:07:17 Michelangelo's Republican Sympathies * 00:17:04 Tommaso di Cavalieri * 00:22:45 The Last Judgment Commission * 00:37:38 Master Architect * 00:42:40 The Final Years * 00:48:01 The Rondanini Pietà * 00:54:34 Legacy: The Prototype of Artistic Genius

David Hockney Tribute

David Hockney, who died last week, was a giant of British art. In this special episode, Alastair and James pay tribute to the late, great artist. Photo Credit: Jean-Pierre Goncalves De Lima Artworks in this episode include: David Hockney, We Two Boys Together Clinging, 1961 David Hockney, The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 David Hockney, Mother, Bradford. 19 Feb 1979, 1979 David Hockney, J-P Gonçalves de Lima, 11th, 12th, 13th July 2013, 2013 David Hockney, The Big Hawthorn, 2008 David Hockney, Winter Timber, 2009 David Hockney, Beverly Hills Housewife, 1966-67 David Hockney, A Bigger Splash, 1967 David Hockney, Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, 1970-71 David Hockney, Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy, 1968 Piero della Francesca, The Baptism of Christ, c.1437-45 David Hockney, My Parents, 1977 David Hockney, My Parents and Myself, 1976 David Hockney, Pearblossom Hwy., 11-18th April 1986 (Second Version), 1986 David Hockney, A Year in Normandie, 2020-2021 David Hockney, Bigger Trees Near Warter, 2007 David Hockney, Delphiniums on My Garden Table, July 2025, 2025 For more great art content visit www.heni.com [https://www.heni.com] or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks [https://www.youtube.com/@HENITalks] Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Producer and Editor: Ben Harding Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 News of Hockney's Death * 00:03:06 An Artist of Joy * 00:08:45 A National Treasure and Cultural Icon * 00:15:06 California and Double Portraits * 00:21:11 Yorkshire Landscapes * 00:27:06 How to Look