The Face of Power

S1, E1: Simon Schama explores the eternal power of portraiture. Before we can walk, before we can talk, we become readers of faces, and throughout our lives face reading helps us to navigate the world. This primal engagement with the face makes portraiture one of the most compelling forms of art. Beginning with an exploration of how a portrait that was commissioned to celebrate Winston Churchill’s 80th birthday ended in disaster for both artist and sitter, Schama discovers how portraits can involve a battle for control.