As the first major exhibition in Britain for 40 years of painter and sculptor Modigliani opens at the Royal Academy in London, Paul Allen discusses Modigliani's fascination with the human form.
Playlist
Modigliani
Modigliani is one of the best known but probably most misunderstood artists of the twentieth century. His women are instantly recognizable with their long necks, oval faces and almond-shaped eyes.
As the Royal Academy opens the first exhibition of Modigliani paintings to be seen in Britain for over 40 years, Paul Allen and Rachel Campbell-Johnston examine why an artist with such huge popular appeal has been neglected by the critics.
Have the myths of a drug-taking, alcoholic, womanising Bohemian over-shadowed the reputation of an artist who deserves an important place in the history of modernism?
'Modigliani and his Models' is at The Royal Academy of Arts from 8 July - 15 October. For further information visit the Royal Academy website.
Jeanette Winterson
Also in tonight's Night Waves Paul Allen talks to the author Jeanette Winterson and finds out what inspired her to write a book for children and why she felt Einstein's theory of relativity and the non-linear nature of time would be a suitable subject for eight year olds.
'Tanglewreck' by Jeanette Winterson is published by Bloomsbury.
That Summer Day
Are there any subjects which are not suitable for children? A year on from the 7/7 bombings a new BBC children's drama, to be screened on the first anniversary of the event, depicts the impact of that day on a group of children. Nicky Singer, whose latest book for children features a child killed by a terrorist bomb, has watched the drama and gives her verdict.
'That Summer Day' is on CBBC and BBC Two on Friday 7 July at 4.30pm.
Constantine the Great
And what is single most important cultural and political event of the last two thousand years?
Arguably it happened in York, 1700 years ago this month when Constantine was proclaimed the Roman emperor by his legionnaires. His conversion to Christianity created a bond between religion and politics which still resonates today for better or worse.
'Constantine the Great - York 's Roman Emperor' is at the Yorkshire Museum until 29 October. For further information, visit the exhibition website.
