The Specialist | The Anonymous Altarpiece: Decoding a Renaissance Enigma, with Alex Bell

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 20 December 2025

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, what happens when a work of art is so enigmatic that you think about it for 60 years? Alex Bell, Chairman Emeritus of Sotheby's UK and Old Masters Worldwide, tells the story of how a mysterious Renaissance altarpiece entered the collection of the National Gallery in London as the museum celebrated its bi-centenary. Further details about the episode subject. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Our days start with water. Our whole lives revolve around it.
0:04.0	Health, education, livelihoods, they all start with water.
0:08.0	But one in ten people around the world don't have clean water.
0:12.0	People like 13-year-old Nestiline in Madagascar,
0:15.0	who collects dirty water every day before school because she doesn't have any other choice. 50% of people in Madagascar don't have clean water close to home.
0:25.6	But by donating to Water Aid, you can help change that.
0:28.6	Water Aid is working with communities in Madagascar and around the world to have clean water.
0:33.6	When a community gains clean water, everything changes.
0:36.6	Children stay in school, women reclaim
0:39.1	their time and safety, health improves, livelihoods thrive. The ripple effect is immediate and
0:44.8	it lasts for generations. Just £5 a month over a year can buy five standpipe taps so children
0:51.2	like Nestilene and her whole community can have clean water for years to come.
0:55.8	Please donate five pounds a month today and help WaterAid to work alongside communities to bring clean water to everyone everywhere.
1:03.5	Visit wateraid.org to find out more.
1:06.3	Do you know what you want for Christmas?
1:08.9	A cute toy.
1:10.1	No, I just want my family back. That's what I want for Christmas. We toy. No, I just want my family back.
1:12.3	That's what I want for Christmas.
1:14.2	We'll see what I can do, okay?
1:16.4	It's Christmas, so dear, I've got to share.
1:18.8	Merry Christmas.
1:20.0	Tis the season to watch Tully on Channel 4.
	...

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