Painting of the Week Podcast

Claude Lorrain, Seaport With The Embarkation Of The Queen Of Sheba

Among the first works to be bought by the National Gallery when it opened in 1824, this monumental work shows a reimagined biblical scene, but what deeper meanings can be

Piero Della Francesca, The Flagellation Of Christ - with author Michael Harrison

This enigmatic panel may be small, but its astonishing use of perspective and the mysterious identity of the main figures have Phil and Laura getting excited in conversat

Antoni Gaudí, La Sagrada Família

This episode, Phil and Laura take on the tallest church in the world. 144 years and counting in construction, this wonder of the world blends classic Gothic and fluid Art

Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa / La Gioconda

It is probably the most famous painting in the world but just what is behind its enduring appeal? Phil and Laura unpick the many meanings behind that mysterious smile...

Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Necklace of Thorns and Hummingbird

Created during her traumatic divorce from Diego Rivera, this is one of the most recognisable of Kahlo's 50+ self-portraits, capturing vitality and endurance rather t

James McNeill Whistler, Nocturne In Black & Gold (The Falling Rocket)

Phil & Laura kick off the new season with some piping hot gossip from a century ago. Why was this stunning painting at the centre of one of the 19th century art world&apo

Bonus Episode: The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck

In this special bonus episode, Phil talks to artist, author, broadcaster and frequent Exhibition on Screen contributor Lachlan Goudie about one of the world's most f

J. M. W. Turner, Brighthelmston, Sussex

To finish off Season 7, we have a gorgeous watercolour by the one and only J. M. W. Turner, which depicts Exhibition on Screen's hometown of Brighton circa 1824, com

John Constable, Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows

A classic image of the "four seasons in one day" that epitomises British weather, there is much more to this picturesque Constable landscape than first meets the eye...

Sofonisba Anguissola, The Chess Game - with author & filmmaker Howard Burton

Phil and Laura are joined by author and filmmaker Howard Burton for this episode,  which examines an intriguing portrait of the 23 year old female artist's three sis

Emily McIlroy, River of Passing

Phil is once again with Wendy Smith - Assistant Director of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, Washington - and this time they are examining a monumental ink and paper c

Bernard Perlin, Orthodox Boys! - with author Michael Schreiber

In this episode, Phil and Laura speak with author Michael Schreiber about a deeply symbolic work by , painted Bernard Perlin, who was rejected from the US military during

Caravaggio, Victorious Cupid - with Xavier Bray, Director of the Wallace Collection

A real treat for you in this episode, as Phil goes on a field trip to London to meet with Xavier Bray, Director of the Wallace Collection, and discuss one of Caravaggio’s

Hermann Herzog, Sunset in the Florida Hammocks - with author Deborah Pollack

For this week's episode, Phil speaks with author & art dealer Deborah Pollack about Hermann Herzog’s steamy Florida wilderness, which he depicted in over 300 paintin

Cecilia Beaux, Twilight Confidences

Captivated by Breton peasants in their striking costumes on a summer trip to the countryside in 1888, the wonderful American artist Cecilia Beaux was honing her skills wi

Joseph Wright of Derby, An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump

This week’s focus in an artist who has been called ‘the British Caravaggio’. This eerie candlelit scene shows a scientific experiment in the ‘Age of Reason’, capturing th

James McNeill Whistler, Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1 (Whistler’s Mother)

It’s a new year and a new season of Painting of the Week! We’re starting off with one of the 20th century’s best-known artworks, beloved for its technical skill and its t

Christmas Special 2025

Laura and Phil get into the Christmas spirit by seeking out festive artworks and having a giggle along the way. What artworks does your Christmas lunch make you think of?

Season 6 Ep 10: Caravaggio, Conversion of Saint Paul

Finishing season 6 off on a high, we have special guest David Bickerstaff - co-director of Exhibition on Screen’s ‘Caravaggio’ - exploring the true nature of the artist b

Season 6 Ep 9: Georges Seurat, Bathers at Asnières

Painted before his 25th birthday, this monumental 2m x 3m work was supposed to be Seurat’s big break but was rejected by the 1884 Salon...  Support the show