Stories of Art

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

Michelangelo: The Sistine Chapel Ceiling (Part 3)

The Sistine Chapel ceiling is arguably the most famous work of art in the world, but why was Michelangelo so reluctant to take on the commission? And just what is it about his art that has led so many regard him as a genius? Join Alastair and James in the third of four episodes charting the remarkable life and work of Michelangelo. Artworks in this episode include: Attributed to Daniele da Volterra, Portrait of Michelangelo, c.1545, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Raphael, Portrait of Julius II, 1511, The National Gallery, London Michelangelo, The Sistine Chapel Ceiling, 1508-1512, Vatican CIty Michelangelo, Moses, 1513-15, Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome Michelangelo, The Awakening Slave, 1530, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence Michelangelo, The Bearded Slave, 1530, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence Michelangelo, Atlas, 1530, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence Michelangelo, The Rebellious Slave, 1513-15, Musée du Louvre, Paris Michelangelo, The Dying Slave, 1513-15, Musée du Louvre, Paris 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 Commission * 00:03:56 The Sistine Chapel Building * 00:07:58 Michelangelo's Reluctance * 00:18:14 Early Struggles * 00:30:14 The Creation of Adam * 00:44:16 Moses * 00:58:42 The Unfinished Sculptures

Michelangelo: The Making of David (Part 2)

Why was Michelangelo's David such a revolutionary work of art? And what happened when Michelangelo and Leonardo went head to head on a commission? Join Alastair and James in the second of four episodes charting the life and work of Michelangelo, who many regard as history's greatest artist. Artworks in this episode include: Michelangelo, David, 1501-04, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence Attributed to Daniele da Volterra, Portrait of Michelangelo, c.1545, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York After Leonardo, Copy of The Battle of Anghiari, 17th century, Musée du Louvre, Paris Bastiano da Sangallo after Michelangelo, Copy of The Battle of Cascina, 1542, Royal Academy, London 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 * 00:04:34 A Block of Marble * 00:12:17 Michelangelo Takes on the Challenge * 00:16:44 Where to Place David * 00:19:50 Moving the Giant * 00:22:41 Analyzing David * 00:33:22 Michelangelo's Character * 00:40:40 Rivalry with Leonardo da Vinci * 00:50:20 Pope Julius II and the Tomb Commission * 00:55:55 The Great Escape from Rome

Michelangelo: The Birth of a Genius (Part 1)

Was Michelangelo the greatest artist that ever lived? And where did he learn his unrivalled mastery of marble? Join Alastair and James as they embark on the first of four episodes charting the epic story of the life and work of Michelangelo, known in his lifetime as Il Divino - the divine one. Artworks in this episode include: Michelangelo, The Creation of Adam, The Sistine Chapel Ceiling, c.1512, Vatican City Michelangelo, Head of a Faun, c.1489 (lost 1944) Michelangelo, Bacchus, 1496-97, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence Michelangelo, Pietà, 1499, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican 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] 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 Creation of Adam * 00:08:58 Early Life * 00:18:23 Apprenticeship with the Ghirlandaio Brothers * 00:22:10 The Medici Academy and Lorenzo the Magnificent * 00:27:03 The Head of a Faun: A Precocious Talent * 00:33:47 Crisis and Exile: The Fall of the Medici * 00:37:49 The Sleeping Cupid Forgery * 00:40:56 Rome and Cardinal Riario * 00:44:55 The Pietà * 00:55:14 Rising Fame