The Private Life of a Masterpiece
The Private Life of a Christmas Masterpiece
The series reveals the full and fascinating stories behind famous works of art, not just how they came to be created, but also how they influenced others and came to have a life of their own in the modern world.
Where to Watch The Private Life of a Masterpiece • The Private Life of a Christmas Masterpiece
3 Episodes
- Jan van Eyck: The Annunciation
E1Jan van Eyck: The AnnunciationThe first moment in the Christmas story is the arrival of the Archangel Gabriel to tell Mary that she has been chosen to give birth to the son of God. Many painters have depicted this miraculous event, but none better than the great Flemish painter Jan Van Eyck. As befits a man who seemed to mix espionage with painting for his patron, Eyck's picture is full of symbols and half-concealed messages. - Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Census at Bethlehem
E2Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Census at BethlehemA closer look at the image that inspired a thousand Christmas cards: Brueghel's Census at Bethlehem. It depicts Mary and Joseph's arrival in the town - but also offers a glimpse into life in a Netherlands village under the rule of foreign invaders. - Paul Gauguin: God's Child
E3Paul Gauguin: God's ChildThe series concludes with a look at Paul Gauguin 's interpretation of the Nativity scene, a distinctively modern piece in which he depicted the Madonna as a young Polynesian woman, using his pregnant mistress as his model. Far removed from traditional images, it has been hailed for its relevance to the contemporary world.
