The Private Life of a Masterpiece is a documentary series produced by the BBC which tells the stories behind great works of art reaching from the Renaissance to modern art, how they were created, who created them, what their motives were and what these works of art may symbolise and mean.
Over a hundred years ago, Edgar Degas made a sculpture depicting a young ballet dancer in pose. He named this statue “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen” appropriately enough. When it was made availible to the public, it was heavily criticized since it stirred up some controversy about the artist’s motives of taking a very young girl as his object of art. Nowadays the sculpture, which was made of wax, is an important part in children’s books, stories, the worlkd of art and an important beacon for any young girl aspiring to become a professional ballet dancer.

Watch the Full Free Documentary Online (Playlist)