Programme Index

Discover 11,128,835 listings and 280,507 playable programmes from the BBC

Chronicle

on BBC Two England

Italian Breakthrough
Sir Denys Lasdun on Brunelleschi Bridget Riley on Masaccio Henry Moore on Donatello
One of the most remarkable revolutions in the world of art took place in Florence in the early 1400s. It was primarily the work of three men: the architect Brunelleschi, the painter Masaccio and the sculptor Donatello. Across the gulf of 500 years their work still speaks to three contemporary British artists who, in the light of their own work, discuss the significance of their predecessors.
For Sir Denys Lasdun , architect of the National Theatre, Brunelleschi was ' a master not only of form and space, but also of detail.' Abstract painter Bridget Riley feels that Masaccio and herself are ' at each end of the western tradition.' Henry Moore finds Donatello's David perfect - but like a beauty contest -like Miss World, it's giving you a kind of superficial perfection.' To demonstrate Donatello's great humanity HENRY MOORE drew for us one of the sculptor's bronze relief heads-a drawing that is a work of art in itself.
Featured in the programme are many of the three artists' surviving works in Florence, and two which can be seen in Britain. The scene is set by Professor John Hale , Chairman of the Trustees of the National Gallery.
Film cameraman MARIO MASINI Film editor DICK ALLEN
Producer KENNETH SHEPHEARD Editor BRUCE NORMAN

Contributors

Unknown:
Sir Denys Lasdun
Unknown:
Bridget Riley
Unknown:
Sir Denys Lasdun
Unknown:
Bridget Riley
Unknown:
Henry Moore
Unknown:
Henry Moore
Unknown:
Professor John Hale
Unknown:
Mario Masini
Editor:
Dick Allen
Producer:
Kenneth Shepheard
Editor:
Bruce Norman

BBC Two England

About BBC Two

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Appears in

Suggest an Edit

We are trying to reflect the information printed in the Radio Times magazine.

  • Press the 'Suggest an Edit' button
  • Type in any changes to the title, synopsis or contributor information using the Radio Times Style Guide for reference.
  • Click the Submit Edits button.
    Your changes will be sent for verification and if accepted, will appear in due course More