Christianity has produced some of the greatest works of art of all time, in which believers and non-believers alike can explore the great themes of life and death. It is the language in which Leonardo and Michelangelo, Dali and Rembrandt speak to us all about love and suffering, loss and hope. To mark the year 2000, these four programmes, written and presented by Neil MacGregor, Director of the National Gallery, London, consider how artists over two millennia have tackled the extraordinarily difficult task of representing Christ.

A collection of expertly photographed scenes of human life and religion.

Chronos, a 42 minute film of experimental time lapses, shot on 70mm IMAX film. While not narrated, the soundtrack consists of a single continuous piece by composer Michael Stearns. Filmed in dozens of locations on five continents, it relates to the concept of time passing on different scales, the bulk of which covers the history of civilization. From pre-history, Egypt, Rome, Late Antiquity, to the rise of Western Europe, the Renaissance, and on into the modern era. It centers on European themes but not exclusively.

The Art of Germany, the programme will take an in-depth look at the 500-year cultural history of Germany's art scene, which rivalled Italy's Renaissance for its creativity. Split over three 60-minute episodes, presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon will explore the various themes of Germanic art, including landscape, folk lore and national identity. The programme will also look at the work of famed German artists, such as Durer, Holbein, Caspar David Friedrich, Otto Dix, Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter.

Filmed for cinema at the world’s biggest art exhibitions and on location, this ground breaking series allows art lovers worldwide to enjoy, marvel and delight at the works of some of history’s greatest ever painters.

Teldec Classics International presents THE ART OF CONDUCTING - GREAT CONDUCTORS OF THE PAST - a unique program featuring sixteen of the great conductors of 20th century in rehearsal and performance. When the first instalment of 'The Art of Conducting', based on a BBC television series, originally appeared it was rightly acclaimed as a revelation. Not surprisingly, it won many prizes, including the 1995 Gramophone Award for Video.

The world's most illustrious orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, marked its 125th anniversary in 2007 by commissioning this documentary covering the years when it was under Nazi control from 1933 to 1945.

Documentary exploring the life and work of the late writer and art critic John Berger. On the occasion of his 90th birthday, the film is an intimate portrait of a man whose groundbreaking work on seeing has shaped our understanding of the concept for over five decades. The film introduces Berger's art of looking with theatre wizard Simon McBurney, film director Michael Dibb, visual artist John Christie, cartoonist SelçUK Demiral and photographer Jean Mohr, as well as two of his children - film critic Katya Berger and the painter Yves Berger.

Just days before George Clooney brings the drama and action of one of the greatest treasure hunts in history to life in the feature film “The Monuments Men,” NGC presents the true story of an unlikely World War II “band of brothers.” The unsuspecting group of scholars, academics, historians and architects headed to the front lines of the bloodiest war in history to rescue thousands of years' worth of European art and culture from Nazi-occupied Europe. Through extensive archive sources and photographs, journals and letter excerpts, along with the personal accounts from surviving family members, this special sheds light on the remarkable story.

Series which looks at how the Art Nouveau movement flourished in the burgeoning cities of Europe at the end of the 19th century.

A breathtaking journey through the ages, telling the story of one of the world's most famous and beautiful cities. This lavish, landmark series explores how a place with no firm ground, no crops, no indigenous riches and no land army came to snatch success from the jaws of failure time and time again - right up to the present day. Step back in time to early Venice, recreated by the magic of CGI. See wooden houses on stilts replaced by the daring rebuild in stone and brick. Witness the sacking of Constantinople and the Venice of Casanova, Napoleon, Byron and Mussolini.

Andrew Graham-Dixon combines an appreciation of Chinese art with a journey of discovery around the country, seeking to understand the works in their historical context.

Andrew Graham Dixon takes viewers on a stunning visual journey through French art history.

Following his sumptuous series on Venice, Francesco da Mosto celebrates the art and beauty of Italy - its cathedrals, churches, palaces, opera houses, paintings, sculpture and music. It is a story of the Italy we all know and love, enhanced by a look at the secret side of the country that only an insider can show us. Da Mosta reveals the full glories of Renaissance Italy and the country's astonishing cultural diversity, which was only recently unified under one flag.

Series in which art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon tells the incredible story of Russian art - its mystery and magnificence - and until now a story untold on British television.