About this season
500 years ago, Michelangelo created three of the art world's greatest and most enduring icons: the statue of David, the painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and the dome of St Peter's in Rome. This revealing drama documentary traces his development from angry young man to renowned sculptor and creator of incredible paintings. How was one individual capable of producing such work?
Episodes (2)
1. A Brutal Boyhood
Aired 28 February 2004 • 59 min
The first part traces Michelangelo’s troubled early life and the roots of his extraordinary artistic drive. Through dramatic reconstruction and expert commentary, the episode follows his harsh upbringing, conflicts with family and rivals, early exposure to sculpture and painting, and the fierce ambition that shaped him into one of the defining artists of the Renaissance.
2. Mark of Genius
Aired 7 March 2004 • 59 min
The second part follows Michelangelo at the height of his powers, from carving David out of a flawed block of marble to the gruelling creation of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and his later architectural work on the dome of St Peter’s Basilica. The episode examines how one artist produced such an astonishing range of sculpture, painting, and design, and why his reputation became almost superhuman.