Stories of Art

The Bust of Nefertiti

It's one of the most recognisable artworks of the ancient world, but who was Queen Nefertiti? And how did she and her consort, the Pharaoh Akhenaten, revolutionise the art and religion of Ancient Egypt? Join Alastair and James as they explore the mesmerisingly beautiful Bust of Nefertiti.   Artworks in this episode include: The Bust of Nefertiti, c. 1351-34 BCE, Neues Museum, Berlin Tomb of Nebamun and Ipuky, 1391-53 BCE, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Statue of Amenhotep III, 1391-53 BCE, The British Museum, London Colossal Statue of Amenhotep IV, 1350-33 BCE, The Egyptian Museum, Cairo Colossal Statue of Amenhotep IV, 1350-33 BCE, Luxor Museum, Luxor Akhenaten, Nefertiti and three of their daughters under the Aten, c. 1351-34 BCE, Neues Museum, Berlin Bust of Akhenaten, c. 1351-34 BCE, Neues Museum, Berlin Plaster Head of an Older Woman, c.1353-36 BCE, Neues Museum, Berlin 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 Discovery of Nefertiti * 00:02:14 The Archaeological Dig at Amarna * 00:06:14 Ancient Egyptian Art and Society * 00:12:50 Amenhotep IV Comes to Power * 00:16:51 The Religious Revolution * 00:23:31 A New Artistic Style * 00:34:35 The New Capital City * 00:46:46 The Bust of Nefertiti * 00:57:35 Authenticity Debates * 01:04:17 The End of the Amarna Period * 01:08:22 The Controversial Journey to Berlin * 01:13:37 Modern Legacy

Francis Bacon: Triumph and Tragedy (Part 3)

Following the death of his lover, did Bacon paint one of the darkest paintings in the history 20th century art? And why is opinion so split on Bacon's late work? Join Alastair and James as they argue it out in the last episode on the life and work of one of art history's most colourful characters - Francis Bacon. Artworks in this episode include: Micheal Andrews, The Colony Room I, 1962, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester Francis Bacon, Portrait of Lucian Freud, 1951, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Francis Bacon, Henrietta Moraes, 1966, Private Collection Francis Bacon, Version No. 2 of Lying Figure with Hypodermic Syringe, 1968, Private Collection Francis Bacon, Miss Muriel Belcher, 1959, Private Collection Francis Bacon, Triptych, May–June 1973, 1973, Private Collection Francis Bacon, Study of the Human Body, 1981-82, Musée national d'Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris Francis Bacon, Second Version of Triptych 1944, 1988, Tate Gallery, London Francis Bacon, Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion, 1944, Tate Gallery, London Francis Bacon, Blood on the Floor - Painting, 1986, Private Collection Francis Bacon, Three Studies for Self-Portrait, 1983, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu 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

Francis Bacon: Post War Success (Part 2)

Which portrait by the 17th century Spanish master Velázquez inspired one of Bacon's most celebrated works? And why is his painting Two Figures considered a groundbreaking image? Join Alastair and James as they chart Bacon's life and work in the decades after the Second World War. Artworks in this episode include: Francis Bacon, Head VI, 1949, Arts Council Collection, London Francis Bacon, Painting 1946, 1946, Museum of Modern Art, New York Francis Bacon, Portrait of Lucian Freud, 1951, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Lucian Freud, Portrait of Francis Bacon, 1952 Francis Bacon, Head I, 1949, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Francis Bacon, Head II, 1949, Ulster Museum, Belfast Francis Bacon, Head III, 1949, Private Collection Diego Velázquez, Las Meninas, 1656, Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid Diego Velázquez, Portrait of Innocent X, 1650, Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Rome Francis Bacon, Man in Blue I, 1954, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam Francis Bacon, Two Figures, 1953, 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 Producer and Editor: Ben Harding Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction: Head VI * 00:02:43 Painting 1946: Consolidating Success * 00:09:13 Meaning in Bacon's Art * 00:11:47 Graham Sutherland and Erica Brausen * 00:13:44 Monte Carlo: Gambling and Drift * 00:19:04 Lucian Freud: An Intense Friendship * 00:26:00 The 1949 Hanover Gallery Show * 00:30:59 Velázquez's Pope Innocent X * 00:35:25 Head VI * 00:42:02 Peter Lacy: The Love of His Life * 00:51:54 The Tate Retrospective and Tragedy

Francis Bacon: The Emerging Artist (Part 1)

How did the horrors of the Second World War influence Francis Bacon's first great masterpiece? And what impact did his troubled childhood have on his life and art? Join Alastair and James as they explore the early life and work of one Britain's greatest artists. Artworks in this episode include: Francis Bacon, Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion, 1944, Tate Gallery, London Francis Bacon, Crucifixion, 1933, 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 Producer and Editor: Ben Harding Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault

How did the gruesome aftermath of a shipwreck inspire a masterpiece of Romantic art? And did Théodore Géricault really acquire body parts so he could capture the appearance of rotting flesh? Join Alastair and James as they tell the true story of a doomed ship and an extraordinary painting that laid bare the depths of humanity - The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault. Artworks in this episode include: Théodore Géricault, The Raft of the Medusa, 1819, Louvre, Paris Horace Vernet, Portrait of Théodore Géricault, c.1823, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City Théodore Géricault, An Officer of the Imperial Horse Guards Charging, 1812, Louvre, Paris To see images of the artworks in this episode go to heni.com/storiesofart 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