From August 9 to 15, 2026, Rai Storia, Rai 5, and Sky Arte will offer a journey through centuries of art history and cultural heritage, exploring ancient civilizations, Renaissance masters, key figures of the 20th century, and iconic sites. From the rediscovery of the Etruscans and Italy’s UNESCO sites to special features on Van Gogh, Artemisia Gentileschi, Matisse, and Michelangelo, and in-depth explorations of the relationship between art, memory, and society, these documentaries explore works, artists, and regions through fresh perspectives and in-depth analysis.
On Rai Storia, the series kicks off on Monday, August 10, at 8:35 p.m. with a new episode of *Passato e Presente*, dedicated to the Etruscans, lords of the two seas—a journey to discover one of ancient Italy’s most fascinating civilizations. Following that, at 9:15 p.m., *Italia: viaggio nella bellezza* returns with the episode *L’Aquila: The Art of Rebirth*, dedicated to the relationship between the preservation, reconstruction, and promotion of the artistic heritage of this city in Abruzzo.
The theme of the Etruscans will also be featured on Tuesday, August 11, with three reruns of *Passato e Presente* at 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 2:40 p.m. At 9:40 a.m., the episode of *Italia: viaggio nella bellezza* will air again. In the evening, at 8:05 p.m., the series *Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites* will feature an episode dedicated to Genoa: the *Strade Nuove* and the *Palazzi dei Rolli* complex.
On Wednesday, August 12, Rai Storia will rebroadcast *Italia: viaggio nella bellezza* at 6:40 a.m., featuring L’Aquila. At 8:25 a.m., the segment “Le serie di RaiCultura.it” explores Marinetti and Futurism, delving into the figure of the founder of the movement that revolutionized the artistic language of the 20th century. At 8:10 p.m., the UNESCO series returns with an episode dedicated to the Historic Center of Florence, the heart of the Italian Renaissance.
On Thursday, August 13, at 8:05 p.m., the journey through UNESCO sites continues with the Historic Center of Rome, the Holy See’s extraterritorial properties within the city, and St. Paul’s Basilica, while at 11:15 p.m., *Italia: viaggio nella bellezza* takes center stage once again with an episode dedicated to the rebirth of L’Aquila.
On Friday, August 14, at 3:15 p.m., the in-depth look at the capital of Abruzzo returns, while at 8:05 p.m., the series “Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites” takes viewers on a journey of discovery through Ivrea.
The week concludes on Saturday, August 15, with a program dedicated to one of the most important female painters of the 17th century: at 9:15 a.m. and 2:20 p.m., *Passato e Presente* profiles Artemisia Gentileschi in *Freedom Through Art*. At 7:50 p.m., the UNESCO series wraps up the week’s programming with an episode on the Historic Center of Urbino, a city that symbolizes the Renaissance.
Rai 5 also dedicates its weekly programming to art and culture with three episodes focused on contemporary artists, Italian cultural heritage, and major figures in art history. On Sunday, August 9, from 6:18 a.m. to 7:21 a.m., “Mimmo Paladino: The Language of Signs” will air. On Monday, August 10, at 6:12 a.m., *Italian Beauty* returns with the episode *Lucca - Roscigno: Special Encounters and Journeys Through Time*.
On Saturday, August 15, from 1:17 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., *Art Night* takes center stage with the episode *Matisse in Search of Light*, dedicated to the great French artist Henri Matisse.
On Sky Arte, the week begins Sunday, August 9, at 12:05 a.m. with *Power of Rome*, a journey hosted by Edoardo Leo exploring the birth of the Roman Empire through the places, figures, and events of the capital’s history. Overnight, the series *The Ship of Fools – Beyond Reason* continues with episodes dedicated to Nero, Camille Claudel, and Robert Schumann, narrated by Carlo Lucarelli.
The morning is dedicated to the great figures of art with *Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers, airing at 9:15 a.m.—a journey through color, poetry, and passion in the Dutch artist’s work—and *Pellizza: Painter from Volpedo* at 10:50 a.m., dedicated to the life and artistic legacy of the creator of the famous *The Fourth Estate*. At 12:10 p.m., *Marinetti’s Airplane* explores Futurism and the 1929 *Manifesto of Aeropainting *. In the afternoon, at 1:10 p.m., *Art and Propaganda* returns, followed at 2:10 p.m. by *Inside the Quirinale—The Palace of the Italians*. At 3:05 p.m., *Power of Rome* returns, while at 4:30 p.m., *Michelangelo—Saint and Sinner* traces the history of Pope Julius II’s mausoleum and the relationship between the artist and one of his most complex works. At 6:00 p.m., *Caravaggio – Theft in Malta* tells the story of the theft of *The Beheading of St. John the Baptist*. The evening continues at 7:00 p.m. with *Palermo: Capital of the Mediterranean * and at 8:00 p.m. with *Emilio Isgrò: Autocurriculum*. At 9:15 p.m. , *Art vs. Mafia: The Power of Beauty* airs, followed at 10:25 p.m. by *Letizia Battaglia: Shooting the Mafia*, dedicated to the Palermo-born photographer and her civic activism.
On Monday, August 10, at 10:25 a.m., the “Great Masters ” series kicks off with an episode dedicated to Masaccio, followed at 11:00 a.m. by the episode on Signorelli. At 11:35 a.m. , *Tiziano: The Empire of Color* chronicles the career of the great Venetian painter and his extraordinary international success. In the afternoon, at 4:05 p.m., *Elvira Notari: Beyond Silence* exploresthe life of Italy’s first female film director. In the evening, at 8:15 p.m., *Art and Propaganda* returns, while at 9:15 p.m., the series *The Nazis and Stolen Art* begins with the episode *Hitler and Göring: The Great Plunder*, followed at 10:00 p.m. by *Hitler’s Great Fear*. *The Trial of Degenerate Art*, dedicated to artistic censorship during the Nazi regime.
On Tuesday, August 11, at 10:35 a.m., *Great Masters* presents an in-depth look at Pontormo, followed at 11:10 a.m. by an episode dedicated to Mantegna. At 11:45 a.m. , *Michelangelo – Infinite* chronicles the life and work of the great artist through a cinematic portrait starring Enrico Lo Verso. In the afternoon, at 4:00 p.m., *Lucio Amelio* traces the career of the famous Neapolitan gallery owner. Prime time is dedicated to Italy’s hidden gems with *Italie invisibili*: at 8:45 p.m., the episode on Caprarola and the Duchy of Castro; at 9:15 p.m., the one on the Castelli Romani; and at 9:50 p.m., the episode dedicated to Anagni, the City of the Popes. At 10:20 p.m., the day concludes with “St. Peter’s and the Papal Basilicas of Rome,” a journey through art and history in the iconic sites of Christianity.
On Wednesday, August 12, at 10:00 a.m., *Grandi maestri* returns with an episode dedicated to Bellini, followed at 10:35 a.m. by the episode on Carpaccio. At 11:10 a.m. , *Raphael: The Prince of the Arts* presents a portrait of the Renaissance master, while at 12:40 p.m. , *Basilico: Infinity Lies at the End* traces the career of the great Italian photographer Gabriele Basilico. In the afternoon, the programming continues with *Invisible Italy* and *St. Peter’s and the Papal Basilicas of Rome*, airing at 3:35 p.m. At 5:10 p.m., *Lotto and Berenson: Crossed Destinies. The Rediscovery of an Italian Renaissance Master* explores the life of Lorenzo Lotto and the role of art critic Bernard Berenson in his rediscovery.
On Thursday, August 13, the lineup begins at 10:05 a.m. with *Great Masters* and an episode dedicated to Duccio di Buoninsegna, followed at 10:40 a.m. by the episode on Masaccio. At 11:15 a.m. , *Tintoretto: A Rebel in Venice* tells the story of the great 16th-century Venetian painter, while at 4:00 p.m., *Andy Warhol: American Dream*, dedicated to the father of Pop Art, returns. At 5:40 p.m ., *Art vs. War: “Banksy and C215 in Borodyanka, Ukraine” explores the role of art in conflict-torn regions. In prime time, at 9:15 p.m., “Picasso—A Rebel in Paris: The Story of a Life and a Museum” airs, dedicated to the Spanish artist’s years in Paris, followed at 11:00 p.m. by “Hopper: An American Love Story,” a journey into the creative universe of Edward Hopper.
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| Art on TV from August 9 to 15: Michelangelo, Van Gogh, and UNESCO Sites Take Center Stage |
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