The Private Life of a Masterpiece S08E02 - Fra Filippo Lippi: The Adoration of the Christ Child

Painted over five centuries ago, Filippo Lippi's nativity is like no other: the birth of Christ in a dark, wooded wilderness. Its beauty inspired Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli. But it also conceals a deeply personal story. It was painted for a wealthy banker who feared that his money was dragging him straight to hell. The artist's life was equally surprising. The most celebrated painter of his day, Filippo Lippi was also a Carmelite friar. But he was no stranger to the temptations of the flesh,shortly before painting his Adoration, he caused uproar by seducing a twenty year-old nun – and getting her pregnant.

This programme looks at the turbulant history of this masterpiece which with its combination of divine mystery and a very human beauty make it seem to transcend time and creed.