Sister Wendy Beckett takes a journey through the history of art in this ten-part series.
Where to Watch Sister Wendy's Story of Painting • Season 1
10 Episodes
The Mists of Time
E1
The Mists of TimeSister Wendy discovers masterpieces from the time of the cavemen, the world of the pharaohs, and the age of chivalry.
A Hero Steps Forth
E2
A Hero Steps ForthSister Wendy takes a closer look at art in the Middle Ages. Featured is works by Giotto, Duccio, Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden and Hieronymus Bosch.
The Age of Genius
E3
The Age of GeniusSister Wendy visits Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, where she explains why she thinks the Mona Lisa is smiling. Then she moves on to Rome, where she explores the Sistine Chapel.
Two Sides of the Alps
E4
Two Sides of the AlpsSister Wendy looks at the Renaissance in Venice and Northern Europe, taking in works by Bellini, Titian, Giorgione, Veronese, Durer, Holbein and Bruegel along the way.
Passion and Ecstasy
E5
Passion and EcstasySister Wendy looks at how, in the Baroque period, the Catholic Church used art and artists to fight back against the Reformation of Rome.
Three Golden Ages
E6
Three Golden AgesSister Wendy explores the golden ages of painting in 17th century Spain, France and the Netherlands. She journeys from Rembrandt's Amsterdam through the Spanish court and the works of Velazquez to the ruins of ancient Rome.
Revolution
E7
RevolutionSister Wendy studies English painting at the time of the Industrial Revolution, looks at art during the French Revolution, and visits Spain for the romantic genius of Goya.
Impressions of Light
E8
Impressions of LightSister Wendy tells the story of the Impressionists and their followers, visiting Monet's garden at Giverny and the field where Van Gogh shot himself.
A New Pair of Eyes
E9
A New Pair of EyesSister Wendy visits Paris and the south of France as she traces the beginnings of modern art from Cezanne to Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, Dali and Klee.
The Never Ending Story
E10
The Never Ending StorySister Wendy focuses on the art world that developed in America after the Second World War, looking at works by Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and Lucian Freud.
