EWTN Paints 'Catholic Canvas'

EWTN next week will unveil a new series dedicated to works with in Vatican museums.

The 10-episode Catholic Canvas debuts Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. (ET). with the installment entitled “The Angels.”  

Officials at the global Catholic network, with the support of the Primavera Fine Art Foundation, said it was given unprecedented access to Vatican museums.

Entire episodes are dedicated to Mary, to the Epiphany, to Christ’s earthly ministry, His passion, death and resurrection, St. Peter, and the saints. Naturally, the series concludes with the last judgment.

“We were granted four days of filming inside the Sistine Chapel -- a privilege that has never been granted to any other network,” said EWTN president Michael Warsaw in a statement. “The Sistine Chapel is the backbone for the series because it conveys so beautifully in art the stories of our salvation.”

The first installment is hosted by Elisabeth Lev, professor of Christian Art and Architecture at Duquesne University’s Italian campus. Lev’s commentary provides viewers with an in-depth explanation of the artistic genius behind the representation of the Cherubim and Seraphim as represented in Costanza’s Sarcophagus, Rafael’s Madonna of Foligno, and many other masterpieces.

At the conclusion of each show, viewers will see Father Mark Haydu, L.C., International Director of the Vatican Museums’ Patrons of the Arts, who delivers a short presentation about one of the many restoration projects being financed by the patrons.