Michelangelo: The Birth of a Genius (Part 1)

Was Michelangelo the greatest artist that ever lived? And where did he learn his unrivalled mastery of marble? Join Alastair and James as they embark on the first of four episodes charting the epic story of the life and work of Michelangelo, known in his lifetime as Il Divino - the divine one.

To see images of the works James and Alistair are discussing in this episode, make sure to switch to video in your podcast app.

Artworks in this episode include:

Michelangelo, The Creation of Adam, The Sistine Chapel Ceiling, c.1512, Vatican City
Michelangelo, Head of a Faun, c.1489 (lost 1944)
Michelangelo, Bacchus, 1496-97, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
Michelangelo, Pietà, 1499, Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

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 Creation of Adam
• 00:08:58 Early Life
• 00:18:23 Apprenticeship with the Ghirlandaio Brothers
• 00:22:10 The Medici Academy and Lorenzo the Magnificent
• 00:27:03 The Head of a Faun: A Precocious Talent
• 00:33:47 Crisis and Exile: The Fall of the Medici
• 00:37:49 The Sleeping Cupid Forgery
• 00:40:56 Rome and Cardinal Riario
• 00:44:55 The Pietà
• 00:55:14 Rising Fame