Sky Arts announces four new commissions to excite art-lovers, including a chance to see behind the scenes of the once in a generation refurbishment of the National Portrait Gallery, set to open its doors this week. Legendary artists also under the Sky Arts spotlight in the coming months include David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Michelangelo and JMW Turner.

Phil Edgar Jones, Director of Sky Arts, commented: “At Sky Arts we love to uncover new and surprising stories in the visual arts, and with our feast of up-coming programmes we aim to take our audience on some fascinating journeys – whether that’s under the skin of the National Portrait Gallery as it opens its doors all new and refreshed, or uncovering the secret symbols in Turner’s paintings along with the hidden details in the works of Rembrandt, Duchamp and Bosch. We’ll also peek into the world of Andy Warhol, the trials of Michelangelo and the definitive TV biography of David Hockney as told with Melvyn Bragg. It promises to be a magical mystery tour of the some of the greatest art ever made.”

A new three-part series, Stories from the National Portrait Gallery sees Art Historian Kate Bryan gain unprecedented access to the National Portrait Gallery as it reopens its doors after three years. Kate explores the most extensive collection of portraits in the world, joined by NPG Director Nicholas Cullinan and a host of the gallery’s curators, to tell the story of portraiture from the 16th century to today. Each episode focuses on art from different centuries, telling the stories behind portraits of famous figures such as William Shakespeare, the Bronte sisters and Queen Elizabeth II.

New feature documentary, Michelangelo: Saint or Sinner? (w/t), traces the history of Michelangelo’s most controversial commission; the Mausoleum of Pope Julius II. After a series of changes and political upheavals within the Vatican, jeopardising Michelangelo’s legacy and reputation, the work took 40 years to complete. Featuring Kate Bryan and Katy Hessel, this documentary explores the man behind some of the most influential art in the world.

One-off special, The Late Andy Warhol (w/t) explores the late work and growing legacy of Andy Warhol, one of the most influential and talked about artists of the 20th Century. Through interviews with some of today’s most renowned contemporary artists, art luminaries and insight from those closest to him, The Late Andy Warhol (w/t) presents a fresh portrait of a funny, dedicated, and radical artist who is now woven through modern culture and continues to inspire new artists every day.

The Art Mysteries will return with a new series, as Art Critic Waldemar Januszczak goes in search of the secret meanings hidden inside some of the world’s best-knownmasterpieces. Focusing on artworks by Rembrandt, Duchamp, Dürer, and Bosch, Waldemar weighs up the evidence, sifts through the theories, and reveals what actually lies hidden inside these great works.

Previously announced special films Celebrating David Hockney (w/t) will take a unique and unrivalled look at the life and work of David Hockney through insightful interviews, archived footage and a definitive interview with Melvyn Bragg. Decoding Turner also comes to screens later this year as we ask art enthusiasts to question everything they thought they knew about Turner as we reveal the hidden codes woven into his paintings.

All Sky Arts titles are commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content for Sky UK and Ireland.

Synopses

All TX dates mentioned are subject to change.

Stories from The National Portrait Gallery (3x60), 11 July:

The National Portrait Gallery is home to the most extensive collection of portraits anywhere in the world. From the 16th century to the present day, these works tell the story of portraiture through the ages: In this three-part series, presenter Kate Bryan is granted unprecedented behind the scenes access as the gallery prepares to reopen its doors after three years – and a once in a generation refurbishment. Stories from the National Portrait Gallery is produced by Unity House. Exec producer is Richard Shaw.

Michaelangelo. Saint or Sinner (w/t) (1x90), Coming Soon:

This feature documentary follows the creative spark that was ignited by Michelangelo’s most controversial commission, the Mausoleum of Pope Julius II. A work that took 40 years to complete and ran into a series of changes and political upheavals within the Vatican, jeopardising Michelangelo’s legacy and reputation, art historians take a deeper look into the man behind some of the most influential masterpieces of all time. Michelangelo: Saint or Sinner? (w/t) is a Sky Arts Hub production with Sky Italia.

The Late Andy Warhol (w/t) (1x90), Coming Soon: This one-off special explores the late work and growing legacy of Andy Warhol, one of the most influential and talked about artists of the 20th Century. Through interviews with some of today’s most renowned contemporary artists, art luminaries and insight from those closest to him, The Late Andy Warhol (w/t) presents a fresh portrait of a funny, dedicated, and radical artist who is now woven through modern culture and continues to inspire new artists every day. The Late Andy Warhol is produced by 4045 Films LLC.

Celebrating David Hockey (w/t) (1x120 & 3x60), 26 & 27 August:

Celebrating David Hockney (w/t) will cover the many eras and aspects of Hockney’s work through insightful interviews, archive footage and a trip down memory lane charting his development as an artist. The programmes will explore his early days in Bradford, his time at the RCA in London where he was a star pupil, and his move to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where he produced some of his most famous and popular pieces, including the swimming pool series. The legendary artist will also sit down with Melvyn Bragg for a definitive interview filmed over a period of four hours. Celebrating David Hockney is produced by Directors Cut Productions.

Decoding Turner (1x90), Coming Soon:

JMW Turner’s paintings are world famous, but what if they’re not what they seem? This new one-off film will change the way we interpret some of Turner’s most familiar works as two plucky enthusiasts, joined by art historians and academics, reveal the startling hidden codes they believe are woven into his paintings. Follow their Da Vinci Code-esque quest as they delve into the unseen images which have been staring out from their frames for centuries. Decoding Turner is produced by Castle Entertainment.

The Art Mysteries Series 2 (5x30), Coming Soon:

Waldemar Januszczak gets out his magnifying glass and goes in search of the secret meanings hidden inside some of the world’s best-known masterpieces. Focusing this time on artworks by Rembrandt, Duchamp, Dürer, and Bosch, Waldemar weighs up the evidence, sifts through the theories, and reveals what actually lies hidden inside these great works. The Art Mysteries is produced by ZCZ Films. Exec producer is Waldemar Januszczak.