Raiders Of The Lost Art - Season 2

Leonardo da Vinci is believed by many to have been the most talented individual who ever lived. But, while his greatest legacy remains in his art, we're still unearthing the secrets of how he worked.

Jan van Eyck left behind a remarkable legacy of works, including the spectacular Ghent altarpiece, but very little evidence of who he exactly was. van Eyck was a key figure in the early northern renaissance that would produce further great masters such as Hans Holbein and Albrecht Durer. After he died, his reputation would only grow and grow, and his paintings would become highly sought after by buyers and thieves alike and, in the process, the mysterious tale of the van Eyck family would slowly be revealed.

Capturing the changing nature of light was the lifelong obsession of Claude Monet, the father of impressionism. The movement would have its roots in Paris, but would draw on diverse inspiration, to achieve its artistic vision.

Paul Cezanne inspired the most lauded artists of the 20th century, but he struggled for years to achieve anywhere near the levels of success. Today one of Cezanne's paintings is rumoured to have sold for the highest price in history.

Joseph Mallord William turner was hailed as a prodigy from an early age and he went on to have a remarkably successful painting career. These experimental works would prove highly controversial amongst his contemporaries.

Raphael forms the trinity of great masters of the Italian high renaissance… alongside Leonardo and Michelangelo. All three of these artists were working in Rome at the same time. While Michelangelo and Leonardo reached old age, Raphael would die suddenly at just 37, but in that time, he still produced a staggering array of works.