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The divine Michelangelo

Drama documentary charting the life and works of Michelangelo.

His works are iconic – but who is the man behind the myth? The artist’s early life reveals some clues.

Five hundred years ago, Michelangelo created three of the art world's greatest icons: the statue of David, the painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and the dome of St. Peter's in Rome. This revealing drama documentary traces his development from angry young man to the pride of Rome.

Modern experts reproduce elements of his work to discover the extent of his genius and his personal life is also examined. Was art's first superstar the poverty-stricken, tortured, lonely outsider that many of us believe him to be? Or was he a cunning spin doctor who skilfully moulded his own image?

Episode one of this two-part documentary is available here for free – to watch part two, BBC iPlayer from iTunes.

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