The Sculptor's Funeral

Jason's historical novel about François Rude is finally out! But what lies behind his obsession for this little-known French sculptor from the 19th century? The answers might surprise you; Jason devotes this episode to the history of his fascination about Rude - which led directly to the creation of the Sculptor's Funeral Podcast.

Today we explore the work of the Renaissance masters Niccolo dell'Arca, Guido Mazzoni, and Antonio Begarelli. Never heard of them? You're not alone. Although their work deserves to be ranked alongside their contemporaries Donatello and Verrocchio and yes, even Michelangelo, these sculptors had the misfortune of living on the other side of the mountains from Florence, in Bologna and Modena, far from the marble quarries, far from the Medici. But sculpture finds a way: beyond the influence of Florence, a rich tradition of large scale terracotta figure sculpture developed over several generations, culminating in some of the most elaborate and daring sculpture you've never seen.

Exploring the enigmatic chapel of the Princes of San Severo, Host Jason Arkles lifts the veil of secrecy surrounding the fabulous works therein, including Corradini's Modesty, Quierolo's Freedom from Illusion, and Sanmartino's Veiled Christ. Secret handshakes and initiation rituals optional.

Lavinia Ream (but call her Vinnie!) was, despite the odds, a sculptor. Born into a working class family and growing up in a nation at war, in a time and place which scarcely imagined the existence of 'lady-sculptors', she catapulted herself into the international spotlight and into artistic success while still a teenager. One might say her methods were unorthodox - scandalous, even! - but when playing a rigged game, you do what you need to do to win.

The Sculptor's Funeral Podcast is back with a look into a group of Michelangelo's sculptures collectively known as the Pietàs. Your affable host Jason answrs your burning questions about these mother-son groupings: Why is Mary so big? Is there really a self-portrait of Michelangelo in one of these Pietàs? And - what is a Pietà?

Meet one of the most enigmatic and anachronistic sculptors in history - Franz Messerschmidt. His work looks modern, but that's a few centuries off the mark! He's not what you would expect from a sculptor from the Rococo period... So what gives? Why were these strange heads made? Learn the startling answer here.

Huntington was a prolific American sculptor in the early 20th century, but her greatest legacy may be the extensive and unique sculpture park she built, the first of its kind in the United States. Listen here to learn about the past and future of Brookgreen Garden; with interviews with Bryan Rapp and Robin Salmon.

The Venus De Milo, the Torso Belvedere, The Winged Victory, The Laocoon - some of the most famous Antique sculpture in the world. Strange that we know so little about who made them and why! So what makes them so famous? Find out the unexpected reasons here.

It's often hyperbole to describe something as 'colossal' - but when you're talking about the statue for which the word 'colossal' was coined, you get a pass. Learn what there is to know about how and why the Colossus of Rhodes was built, and how it rightly earned its place as one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the original Bucket List.

The Sculptor's Funeral Podcast is finishing off this strange and terrible year with the final round of the quiz show! Listen to Lubov, David, and Liz test their knowledge of the history of sculpture, in their quest to attain the coveted Sculptor's Funeral coffee mug.

Listen to CJ, Mark, and Lubov go head to head in Round Three of the Sculptor's Funeral Quiz Show!

Listen to Rony, Alison, and David go head to head in Round Two of the Sculptor's Funeral Quiz Show!

Three avid listeners of the Sculptor's Funeral Podcast match wits and test their knowledge of art history! Round one, with Bruce, Liz, and Ali.

Praxiteles and Lysippos - the two giants of 4th century Greece, and they are both covered in this episode. Learn what happened to the first classical nude female statue! Learn why eight heads are better than seven! And does Alexander succeed in Making Attica Great Again? Find out here.

If 'Classic' derives from the Greek word for 'Best', then what comes after the time of Classical Athens? Something not as good for Athens, of course. But despite the fall of the world's first democracy, the arts in Athens and all of Greece continued and even flourished. In the first of this two-part episode, we'll cover the sculptors Alkamenes, Kresilas, and Skopas. In the second part, look out for Lysippos and Praxiteles.

In this episode. Jason discusses the sculpture of Polykleitos and the ideas behind them. One of the most celebrated sculptors in history, Polykleitos devised a new formula for the creation of figurative sculpture, known as the Kanon, which set the standard for generations of Greek sculptors following in this giant's wake. Want to be a Classicist in sculpture? The Kanon of Polykleitos is Classicism 101.

In this follow-up on the episode concerning the Greek sculptor Phidias, we take a look at the sculptural program of Greece's most famous structure, the Parthenon: why they were made, what they meant then, and why they have remained relevant - and even controversial - right up to our own day.

Vision, talent, will, and money - the perfect combination for a Golden Age in sculpture. It's only happened a small handful of times, and it happened first in 5th Century BC Greece. In the first of a series of episodes covering this period, Jason discusses well-known landmarks of Classical Greece such as the Riace Bronzes, the Discus Thrower, and the life and work of the greatest of Old Masters - Phidias.

What did it take to move Greek culture forward into the Classical period from the Archaic? Just a few victorious battles against impossible odds, unexpected and fantastic wealth, military and political genius, and... - oh yeah, the complete destruction of Athens. Learn how luck, will, disasters, and mayhem strong enough to wipe the archaic smile off any Greek's face kickstarted the greatest era of Greek civilization. 

Renaissance means 'Rebirth'. But we don't hear much about the original 'Naissance' in Ancient Greece that gave birth to what we call Classical sculpture. When were the first lifesized bronze figures cast? What were the first civic public monuments? Who invented Contrapposto? Find out here.