Stories of Art

How did a bus crash change the course of art history? And what is the truth behind Frida Kahlo's family origins? Join Alastair and James as they embarked on a new three part series on the life and work of one of the world's most celebrated artists - Frida Kahlo.

Artworks in this episode include:
Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940, Nickolas Muray Collection of Mexican Art, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, Texas
Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait (With Velvet Dress), 1926, Private Collection

For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks

Frida: The Making of an Icon is on at Tate Modern, London until 3rd January 2027.

Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox
Additional Research: Catherine Ingram
Producer and Editor: Ben Harding
Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

Why was Michelangelo's Last Judgement seen as so controversial in his lifetime? And what, ultimately, has been his influence on the history of art? Join Alastair and James as they tell the story of the last few extraordinary decades in the life of Michelangelo.
Artworks in this episode include:
Michelangelo, The Laurentian Library, 1525-50
Copy after Michelangelo, Ganymede, 16th Century
Luca Signorelli, The Damned in Hell, 1500-03, Orvieto Cathedral, Orvieto
Michelangelo, The Last Judgement, 1535–1541, Vatican City
Michelangelo, Study for The Last Judgement, 1535–1541, The British Museum, London
Etienne DuPérac, Longitudinal Section Showing the Interior of Saint Peter's Basilica
Etienne DuPérac, Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo
Michelangelo, Rondanini Pietà, 1552-64, Castello Sforzesco, Milan
For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks
Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox
Additional Research: Catherine Ingram
Producer and Editor: Ben Harding
Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac
Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction: The Flayed Skin Self-Portrait
00:05:15 The Sack of Rome
00:07:17 Michelangelo's Republican Sympathies
00:17:04 Tommaso di Cavalieri
00:22:45 The Last Judgment Commission
00:37:38 Master Architect
00:42:40 The Final Years
00:48:01 The Rondanini Pietà
00:54:34 Legacy: The Prototype of Artistic Genius

David Hockney, who died last week, was a giant of British art. In this special episode, Alastair and James pay tribute to the late, great artist.
Photo Credit: Jean-Pierre Goncalves De Lima
Artworks in this episode include:
David Hockney, We Two Boys Together Clinging, 1961
David Hockney, The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020
David Hockney, Mother, Bradford. 19 Feb 1979, 1979
David Hockney, J-P Gonçalves de Lima, 11th, 12th, 13th July 2013, 2013
David Hockney, The Big Hawthorn, 2008
David Hockney, Winter Timber, 2009
David Hockney, Beverly Hills Housewife, 1966-67
David Hockney, A Bigger Splash, 1967
David Hockney, Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, 1970-71
David Hockney, Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy, 1968
Piero della Francesca, The Baptism of Christ, c.1437-45
David Hockney, My Parents, 1977
David Hockney, My Parents and Myself, 1976
David Hockney, Pearblossom Hwy., 11-18th April 1986 (Second Version), 1986
David Hockney, A Year in Normandie, 2020-2021
David Hockney, Bigger Trees Near Warter, 2007
David Hockney, Delphiniums on My Garden Table, July 2025, 2025

For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks

Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox
Additional Research: Catherine Ingram
Producer and Editor: Ben Harding
Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

Chapters

00:00:00 News of Hockney's Death
00:03:06 An Artist of Joy
00:08:45 A National Treasure and Cultural Icon
00:15:06 California and Double Portraits
00:21:11 Yorkshire Landscapes
00:27:06 How to Look

The Sistine Chapel ceiling is arguably the most famous work of art in the world, but why was Michelangelo so reluctant to take on the commission? And just what is it about his art that has led so many regard him as a genius? Join Alastair and James in the third of four episodes charting the remarkable life and work of Michelangelo.

Artworks in this episode include:
Attributed to Daniele da Volterra, Portrait of Michelangelo, c.1545, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Raphael, Portrait of Julius II, 1511, The National Gallery, London
Michelangelo, The Sistine Chapel Ceiling, 1508-1512, Vatican CIty
Michelangelo, Moses, 1513-15, Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome
Michelangelo, The Awakening Slave, 1530, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence
Michelangelo, The Bearded Slave, 1530, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence
Michelangelo, Atlas, 1530, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence
Michelangelo, The Rebellious Slave, 1513-15, Musée du Louvre, Paris

For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks

Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox
Additional Research: Catherine Ingram
Producer and Editor: Ben Harding
Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction: The Commission
00:03:56 The Sistine Chapel Building
00:07:58 Michelangelo's Reluctance
00:18:14 Early Struggles
00:30:14 The Creation of Adam
00:44:16 Moses
00:58:42 The Unfinished Sculptures

Why was Michelangelo's David such a revolutionary work of art? And what happened when Michelangelo and Leonardo went head to head on a commission? Join Alastair and James in the second of four episodes charting the life and work of Michelangelo, who many regard as history's greatest artist.

Artworks in this episode include:
Michelangelo, David, 1501-04, Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence
Attributed to Daniele da Volterra, Portrait of Michelangelo, c.1545, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
After Leonardo, Copy of The Battle of Anghiari, 17th century, Musée du Louvre, Paris
Bastiano da Sangallo after Michelangelo, Copy of The Battle of Cascina, 1542, Royal Academy, London.

For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks

Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox
Additional Research: Catherine Ingram
Producer and Editor: Ben Harding
Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:34 A Block of Marble
00:12:17 Michelangelo Takes on the Challenge
00:16:44 Where to Place David
00:19:50 Moving the Giant
00:22:41 Analyzing David
00:33:22 Michelangelo's Character
00:40:40 Rivalry with Leonardo da Vinci
00:50:20 Pope Julius II and the Tomb Commission
00:55:55 The Great Escape from Rome