Witness how the greatest artworks of all time were born from an era of war, rivalry, and bloodshed.

In an era torn by war, rivalry, and bloodshed, the greatest masterpieces of our history were born. Witness the lives of these iconic artists—Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael—as they craft beauty from chaos in this three-part series.

The greatest works of art in western civilization emerged from one of the bloodiest periods in history. Italy at the end of the fifteenth century was a place of extreme turbulence, betrayal, bloodshed and political upheaval. How and why did such unparalleled creativity flourish under these brutal conditions? This series explores the lives of three of the greatest artists in history – Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael – as they navigate a deadly snakes-and-ladders world of changing powerbrokers, violent warfare and intense personal rivalry.