Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty, a new three-part docuseries, explores the extraordinary lives and rivalries of three towering figures of the Italian Renaissance—Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael—whose timeless masterpieces were forged amid brutal political power struggles, warfare, and religious upheaval.
Renaissance: The Blood and The Beauty airs Tuesdays, July 8-22 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI app.
Some of the greatest works of art in the Western civilization were created during one of the bloodiest periods in European history. Framed through the eyes of an aging Michelangelo, this series traces the lives of three of the greatest artists in history—Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael—beginning with the Pazzi Conspiracy of 1478 and concluding with the unveiling of The Last Judgement in 1541. Through stunning visuals, compelling storytelling, and historical insight, the series reveals how these artists battled for favor, risked everything in service of their patrons, and reshaped the world’s understanding of art and the artist.
Episode titles + air dates:
7/8 Rise. In Florence, young Michelangelo rises under Medici’s patronage while Leonardo builds his reputation in Milan. Political upheaval and changing attitudes disrupt their careers and sets the stage for an artistic rivalry.
7/15 Rivalry. When Michelangelo is awarded the commission for David, Leonardo seeks to outshine him with technical innovation, but the arrival of the young prodigy Raphael threatens both men. Their careers collide in Rome under Pope Julius II’s patronage.
7/22 Redemption. While Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Raphael works on the Pope’s private apartments. However, the Pope dies shortly after, and as Protestant Reformation is on the rise, art becomes a battleground for ideology and power. Michelangelo is commissioned to paint a depiction of The Last Judgement, which will become both a political statement and a very personal expression of Michelangelo’s own spiritual redemption.
Photo: Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty key art.
Credit: PBS PressRoom.