Great Paintings of the World with Andrew Marr

The broadcaster and journalist examines the stories behind famous works of art, beginning by focusing on Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. He pays a visit to the Louvre, where millions of visitors queue for hours for a fleeting glimpse of the iconic work, and traces the portrait's history, uncovering stories of groundbreaking artistic experimentation and gruesome dissections and one of the most audacious art thefts of the 20th century.

The broadcaster and journalist reveals the story behind Van Gogh's Sunflowers, visiting the National Gallery to examine the world-renowned painting created by a tormented artist who died when he was just 37 years of age. Andrew tells the barely believable tale of talent, loneliness and tragic heartbreak behind Van Gogh's iconic work, uncovers the clues in it that reveal the darkness that ultimately consumed the man who created it and the part this painting was to play in the tragic story of his death.

Andrew Marr visits the National Gallery to uncover the story behind JMW Turner's The Fighting Temeraire. The painting, depicting a ship that played a vital role in the Battle of Trafalgar, proved a pivotal moment in the artist's career and remains a national treasure to this day, adorning the £20 note and topping a recent poll to choose the nation's favourite British painting.