Picasso’s year of wonders
Many of Picasso’s greatest works of art are being brought together for a “once-in-a-lifetime exhibition” in London and Paris, says Mark Brown in The Guardian. The show, a collaboration between Tate Modern and the French capital’s Picasso Museum, will feature some 100 paintings, sculptures and drawings all produced in 1932 – the artist’s “year of wonders”. It was the year he created such masterpieces as Le Rêve (pictured), an “erotic, desire-filled” portrait of his young lover MarieThérèse Walter, as well as a host of “surrealist works, drawings of the crucifixion and voluptuous sculptures”. It was the year the then 50-year-old artist held his first retrospective, cementing his status as the world’s most influential living artist. And it was a year of high drama in his personal life: he was torn between his wife, Olga, and Marie-thérèse, who towards the end of 1932 fell ill after almost drowning in the River Marne. Picasso 1932 will run at Tate Modern from March to September 2018.
Programmes SAS: Rogue Warriors
Ben Macintyre is given rare access to SAS secret files, and interviews some of its founder members, for this series about the extraordinary fighting force. Mon 6 Feb, BBC2 9pm (60mins).
Confessions of the Paparazzi
Notorious freelance photographer George Bamby reveals the tricks of his seedy trade. Mon 6 Feb, C4 9pm (60mins).
The Moorside Sheridan Smith stars in this two-part drama based on the 2008 disappearance of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews from a Dewsbury council estate. Tue 7 Feb, BBC1 9pm (60mins).
Timeshift – Flights of Fancy: Pigeons and the British
This documentary looks at the achievements of the humble pigeon and meets the pigeon fanciers striving to breed the perfect bird. Narrated by Miles Jupp. Tue 7 Feb, BBC4 9pm (60mins).
Roots Acclaimed US remake of the seminal 1970s historical drama. Adapted from Alex Haley’s book, this four-part series tells the story of Kunta Kinte, a proud African slave, and his descendants. Wed 8 Feb, BBC4 9pm (95mins).
Alone with Chrissie Hynde
Arena spends the summer with The Pretenders’ founder, as she visits her home town in Ohio, hangs out with Sandra Bernhard, and gigs in London. Fri 10 Feb, BBC4 9pm (60mins).