This is the series where Bendor Grosvenor finds sleepers in public art collections (and social historian Emma Dabiri wanders around to no great purpose)
Episode 1, Oxford.
Bendor finds a portrait in Oxford University's Bodleian Library, "where it carried my favourite attribution -- unknown artist", which Bendor thinks is by Batoni.
Later, Bendor visits a church in Rome and admires Batoni's altar piece: "I find it hard to believe this is the work of someone just starting out in the the altar-painting business. It's a masterpiece."
The university's own art history department must be metaphorically kicking itself. All its dons walking past this picture without giving it a second thought.
On iplayer at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0009trk/britains-lost-masterpieces-series-4-1-oxford
Episode 2: two paintings in Birmingham, one literally broken in half which undergoes an incredible restoration job. Bendor is not always right, it turns out.
Episode 2: two paintings in Birmingham, one literally broken in half which undergoes an incredible restoration job. Bendor is not always right, it turns out.
Emma Dabiri can wander around to no purpose for the whole series and it will suit me.
I will look into BMAG next time I go into Brum to see if they have the Flemish masterpiece on show.
Emma Dabiri can wander around to no purpose for the whole series and it will suit me.I will look into BMAG next time I go into Brum to see if they have the Flemish masterpiece on show.
Bendor on the artist's nom-de-paintbrush: His slightly older brother was known as Botticello, which means "the barrel", so when young Alessandro came along, he became known as "the little barrel" -- Botticelli. Blessed are they who endure life with a silly name!
Episode 3: Cardiff.Bendor on the artist's nom-de-paintbrush: His slightly older brother was known as Botticello, which means "the barrel", so when young Alessandro came along, he became known as "the little barrel" -- Botticelli. Blessed are they who
Also an interesting potted history of Florence under the Medici. Being an ill-educated philistine, I had not known that was where the phrase Bonfire of the Vanities originated.
Also an interesting potted history of Florence under the Medici. Being an ill-educated philistine, I had not known that was where the phrase Bonfire of the Vanities originated.