Beyond the Brush

Art historian Siân Walters and writer James Payne explore masterpieces, delving into the stories behind the canvas of the world's most famous paintings. They beginning with Edvard Munch's The Scream, uncovering how anxiety, raw emotion and the fragile, ever-decaying nature of his paintings came together to create one of the most haunting works in history.

Siân Walters and James Payne explore Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night, looking at how a turbulent mind, a bold vision, and a small view from an asylum window contributed to the creation of one of the most famous paintings in history.

Siân Walters and James Payne explore the story behind Francisco Goya's Saturn Devouring His Son, revealing a dark imagination, turbulent times and haunting visions of human nature.

Siân Walters and James Payne explore the story behind Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights, reveaing a vivid imagination, intricate symbolism and a daring vision of Heaven, Earth and Hell.

Siân Walters and James Payne explore Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, revealing how the painter's revolutionary vision and embracing of mythology brought the goddess to life.

Siân Walters and James Payne explore Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, a painting that is lauded for its technical brilliance thanks to the artist's use of mathematics, perspective and composition.