Sandro Botticelli, geboren 1445, gehört zu den bedeutendsten Künstlern der Renaissance. Die Dokumentation beleuchtet erstmals das Leben des Florentiner Künstlers, der wie kaum ein anderer Maler die Kunst der Gegenwart inspiriert hat. Die Kunsthistorikerin und Filmemacherin Grit Lederer spürte in Florenz und Paris, New York und Berlin dem Phänomen Botticelli nach. Was ist das Geheimnis seiner Bilder? Warum war er bald nach seinem Tod jahrhundertelang vergessen? Warum schickte Benito Mussolini die Werke Botticellis Anfang des Zweiten Weltkriegs nach New York? Warum sind Botticellis frivole Zeichnungen so selten zu sehen? Und: Wie hat Botticelli einst eigentlich gelebt?

Death and the devil. Nudity, eroticism and horror. With its daring subjects and blazing colors, the art of the Gothic period captivated viewers some 500 years ago, and still affects us deeply, today. Focuses on some of the most spectacular panels and paintings of the Gothic period. The mid-15th century saw the creation of works like "Purgatory," "Hell," and "Paradise." Gothic specialists introduce us to these works, while explaining just how innovative Gothic painting really was. They walk us through the beauty of the colors, show us just how daring the erotic scenes can be, and highlight the raw power of the devils and monsters. Art historian and director Grit Lederer explains how special macro-optic technology sheds new light on the artworks' tiniest details, while the storied Cologne Cathedral opens at midnight to let art historians examine the "Liebeszauber" painting, still shrouded in mystery to this day.

Documentary about artist Ai Weiwei's 2014 exhibition in Berlin.