Henry Moore, My Father

Henry Moore, My Father (Radio 4) was sprinkled with biographical gems, ­recounted by his daughter Mary, but mainly assessed his artistic significance. This was all neatly done by ­impressive contributors such as artists Antony Gormley and Anthony Caro. But it was the behind the scenes glimpses of an artistic life that shone here. Mary read entries from her father's diaries, and uncovered brilliantly ­eclectic days: "Queen Mother at 11am. Haircut in afternoon. Buy budgie food." She toured her parents' house, lingering in the sitting room with its perhaps surprising focal point of a television. "He would have a whisky and she would have a very sweet Sauternes," Mary explained, "and they would watch comedy and nature ­programmes." The sociable house's routines changed, though, when Wimbledon was on: "A whole line was put through the diary and nobody came." Family life was public, Mary remembered, because her father welcomed visitors and students alike. Antony Gormley recalled visiting Moore, ­astonished to find him working with a grater and polystyrene ("I was shocked; there was a chap sculpting in air") and friendly. "I can't be bothered to see people," Gormley admitted, "and give them tea." In this busy, amiable house, Caro suggested, mid-century British art took on new possibilities. "Modern art made sense," he said, "and it was a living thing".