Episodes

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01A Portrait Of The Artist2021032220230724 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny. And as he gets to grips with such a charismatic yet dangerous character as Cellini, a new discovery brings the story up to date. On the market for over $100 million, a Russian art dealer has offered a ‘self-portrait' by the hand of Cellini. But Cellini worked in gold and silver, bronze and marble. He didn't paint! Or did he?

Jerry Brotton is on the trail of a Renaissance man and a modern-day mystery.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

Professor Jerry Brotton explores the darker side of the Italian Renaissance.

02Overture2021032320230725 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny.

Music is at the heart of the Renaissance, and Cellini's early years are spent training as a musician. Renaissance music was all about harmony, but Cellini was ruled by other passions. Jerry looks at his early years and the conflicts that soon arise in a volatile youth.

With specially commissioned music to recreate the sound of Renaissance Florence.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

03Storming The Capitol2021032420230726 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny.

Having built a career as a goldsmith, Cellini turns soldier during one of the Renaissance's most terrible moments: the Sack of Rome in 1527. As he defends the city, he melts down the pope's jewellery as the fighting reaches its climax.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

Having built a career as a goldsmith, Cellini becomes a soldier during the Sack of Rome.

04Death In Florence2021032520230727 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny.

On his return to Florence, Cellini experiences the horrors of the plague. It is a recurrent feature of daily life in the Renaissance with shocking contemporary resonances. And Cellini has his own very personal brush with death.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

05The Scorpion2021032620230728 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny.

Cellini roams between the great Italian Renaissance courts, at ease in making art and causing trouble. He conjures devils in the Colosseum and murders his brother's killer before being falsely imprisoned for stealing the pope's jewels.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

Cellini roams between the great Italian courts, making art and causing trouble.

06Crime And Punishment2021032920230731 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny.

Cellini is imprisoned for over a year in Rome, enduring various attempts on his life before he has a life-changing religious vision. On his release, he kills again and heads for France.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

Cellini is imprisoned for over a year in Rome, enduring various attempts on his life.

07Golden Years2021033020230801 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny.

Cellini arrives in Fontainebleau to work for the French king, Francis I. He makes his first masterpiece, a golden salt cellar. But his repeated sexual indiscretions soon catch up with him.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

Cellini arrives in Fontainebleau to work for Francis I.

08Forging The Renaissance2021033120230802 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny.

Back in Florence, Cellini works for Cosimo de' Medici. He makes his greatest work, a huge bronze statue of Perseus beheading Medusa. It becomes a defining image of the Renaissance and cements Cellini's reputation.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

Back in Florence, Cellini works for Cosimo de' Medici and creates his greatest work.

09Sex And Death2021040120230803 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny.

At the height of his success, Cellini's violence and sexual misconduct lead him back to jail. In disgrace he completes another masterpiece, his life-size marble crucifix. It is a final triumph of the Renaissance before his death in 1571.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

Cellini's misconduct leads him back to jail, where he completes another masterpiece.

10Rebirth2021040220230804 (R3)Jerry Brotton is Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London and wants us to take a fresh look at a period in European history usually associated with beauty, harmony and art. His approach contains a health warning: the Renaissance was a lot darker and violent than many of us have imagined. Retracing the life of Benvenuto Cellini through his shocking autobiography, Jerry reveals how this was a time of conflict as well as beauty, creativity as well as tyranny.

Cellini's violent life leaves behind a complex and controversial legacy. And there is a final twist: the recent appearance of a painting alleged to be his self-portrait. But is it genuine? Jerry manages to track down the Russian art dealer who owns it.

Reader Marco Gambino

Producer Mark Rickards

A Whistledown Scotland Production

Cellini's violent life leaves behind a controversial legacy.