Painting Genesis

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

God And The Sistine Chapel

20121029

Each year millions of visitors marvel at the artistry and beauty of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was commissioned to undertake the project by Pope Julius II in 1508 and, with work on the scaffolding proving physically and emotionally agonizing for the reluctant artist, he recounted, 'After four tortured years, more than 400 over life-size figures, I felt as old and as weary as Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends did not recognize the old man I had become.

On November 1 1512, All Saint's Day, the Chapel was unveiled to the world as Pope Julius II celebrated mass there for the first time in four years. According to Giorgio Vasari, Michelangelo's pupil, those who attended were left 'speechless with astonishment' by the ceiling's technical mastery and scale.

Michelangelo had decorated the heart of the work, the central ceiling vault, with nine scenes from the Book of Genesis: three depicting the Creation, three the fall of Adam and Eve and three the story of Noah.

Now, to mark the 500th anniversary of the completion of the commission, four contrasting figures offer personal responses to Michelangelo's Genesis paintings.

Tonight Rev Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James's church in London's Piccadilly, explores what Michelangelo's masterpiece has to say to Christians of today, and considers the image of God that emerges from Michelangelo's vision.

Rev Lucy Winkett on what Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel paintings say to Christians today.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Humanism And The Sistine Chapel

20121030

Now, to mark the 500th anniversary of the completion of the commission, four contrasting figures offer personal responses to Michelangelo's Genesis paintings.

Tonight AC Grayling, English philosopher and founder of London's New College of the Humanities, engages with Michelangelo's work as a humanist masterpiece.

AC Grayling considers Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel paintings as a humanist masterpiece.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Colour And The Sistine Chapel

20121031

Now, to mark the 500th anniversary of the completion of the commission, four contrasting figures offer personal responses to Michelangelo's Genesis paintings.

Tonight Rachel Campbell-Johnston, Chief Art Critic at The Times, explores the ethics of restoration in relation to Michelangelo's Genesis masterpiece.

Art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnston responds to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel paintings.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Branding And The Sistine Chapel

20121101

Now, to mark the 500th anniversary of the completion of the commission, four contrasting figures offer personal responses to Michelangelo's Genesis paintings.

Tonight Martin Kemp, art historian and author of the 2011 book Christ to Coke: How Image Becomes Icon, explores the 'genesis' of the Sistine Chapel brand.

Art historian Martin Kemp explores the origin of the Sistine Chapel 'brand'.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	God And The Sistine Chapel	20121029	Each year millions of visitors marvel at the artistry and beauty of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was commissioned to undertake the project by Pope Julius II in 1508 and, with work on the scaffolding proving physically and emotionally agonizing for the reluctant artist, he recounted, 'After four tortured years, more than 400 over life-size figures, I felt as old and as weary as Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends did not recognize the old man I had become. On November 1 1512, All Saint's Day, the Chapel was unveiled to the world as Pope Julius II celebrated mass there for the first time in four years. According to Giorgio Vasari, Michelangelo's pupil, those who attended were left 'speechless with astonishment' by the ceiling's technical mastery and scale. Michelangelo had decorated the heart of the work, the central ceiling vault, with nine scenes from the Book of Genesis: three depicting the Creation, three the fall of Adam and Eve and three the story of Noah. Now, to mark the 500th anniversary of the completion of the commission, four contrasting figures offer personal responses to Michelangelo's Genesis paintings. Tonight Rev Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James's church in London's Piccadilly, explores what Michelangelo's masterpiece has to say to Christians of today, and considers the image of God that emerges from Michelangelo's vision. Rev Lucy Winkett on what Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel paintings say to Christians today. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
02	Humanism And The Sistine Chapel	20121030	Each year millions of visitors marvel at the artistry and beauty of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was commissioned to undertake the project by Pope Julius II in 1508 and, with work on the scaffolding proving physically and emotionally agonizing for the reluctant artist, he recounted, 'After four tortured years, more than 400 over life-size figures, I felt as old and as weary as Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends did not recognize the old man I had become. On November 1 1512, All Saint's Day, the Chapel was unveiled to the world as Pope Julius II celebrated mass there for the first time in four years. According to Giorgio Vasari, Michelangelo's pupil, those who attended were left 'speechless with astonishment' by the ceiling's technical mastery and scale. Michelangelo had decorated the heart of the work, the central ceiling vault, with nine scenes from the Book of Genesis: three depicting the Creation, three the fall of Adam and Eve and three the story of Noah. Now, to mark the 500th anniversary of the completion of the commission, four contrasting figures offer personal responses to Michelangelo's Genesis paintings. Tonight AC Grayling, English philosopher and founder of London's New College of the Humanities, engages with Michelangelo's work as a humanist masterpiece. AC Grayling considers Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel paintings as a humanist masterpiece. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
03	Colour And The Sistine Chapel	20121031	Each year millions of visitors marvel at the artistry and beauty of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was commissioned to undertake the project by Pope Julius II in 1508 and, with work on the scaffolding proving physically and emotionally agonizing for the reluctant artist, he recounted, 'After four tortured years, more than 400 over life-size figures, I felt as old and as weary as Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends did not recognize the old man I had become. On November 1 1512, All Saint's Day, the Chapel was unveiled to the world as Pope Julius II celebrated mass there for the first time in four years. According to Giorgio Vasari, Michelangelo's pupil, those who attended were left 'speechless with astonishment' by the ceiling's technical mastery and scale. Michelangelo had decorated the heart of the work, the central ceiling vault, with nine scenes from the Book of Genesis: three depicting the Creation, three the fall of Adam and Eve and three the story of Noah. Now, to mark the 500th anniversary of the completion of the commission, four contrasting figures offer personal responses to Michelangelo's Genesis paintings. Tonight Rachel Campbell-Johnston, Chief Art Critic at The Times, explores the ethics of restoration in relation to Michelangelo's Genesis masterpiece. Art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnston responds to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel paintings. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
04	Branding And The Sistine Chapel	20121101	Each year millions of visitors marvel at the artistry and beauty of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was commissioned to undertake the project by Pope Julius II in 1508 and, with work on the scaffolding proving physically and emotionally agonizing for the reluctant artist, he recounted, 'After four tortured years, more than 400 over life-size figures, I felt as old and as weary as Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends did not recognize the old man I had become. On November 1 1512, All Saint's Day, the Chapel was unveiled to the world as Pope Julius II celebrated mass there for the first time in four years. According to Giorgio Vasari, Michelangelo's pupil, those who attended were left 'speechless with astonishment' by the ceiling's technical mastery and scale. Michelangelo had decorated the heart of the work, the central ceiling vault, with nine scenes from the Book of Genesis: three depicting the Creation, three the fall of Adam and Eve and three the story of Noah. Now, to mark the 500th anniversary of the completion of the commission, four contrasting figures offer personal responses to Michelangelo's Genesis paintings. Tonight Martin Kemp, art historian and author of the 2011 book Christ to Coke: How Image Becomes Icon, explores the 'genesis' of the Sistine Chapel brand. Art historian Martin Kemp explores the origin of the Sistine Chapel 'brand'. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.