About this season
Four-part series in which Waldemar Januszczak challenges the traditional view of art's most important epoch - the Renaissance.
Episodes (4)
1. Gods, Myths and Oil Paints
Aired 15 February 2016 • 60 min
Waldemar Januszczak challenges the traditional notion of the Renaissance having fixed origins in Italy and showcases the ingenuity in both technique and ideas behind great artists such as Van Eyck, Memling, Van der Weyden, Cranach, Riemenschneider and Durer.
2. Whips, Deaths and Madonnas
Aired 22 February 2016 • 60 min
Waldemar Januszczak returns to Italy to trace the Italian Renaissance from its perceived origins with Giotto and takes a look at the importance of religious narrative in Italian art.
3. Silk, Sex and Sin
Aired 29 February 2016 • 60 min
Waldemar Januszczak focuses on Venice and its extraordinary impact on art history.
4. Hell, Snakes and Giants
Aired 7 March 2016 • 60 min
In the final episode Waldemar Januszczak looks at the surprising climax of the Renaissance as it spiralled into madness and distortion.