Favorite Art Documentaries
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- StarsJames FoxDr James Fox tells the story of three cities in three exceptional years - cities whose artists and thinkers, writers and musicians set the world on a new course.
- DirectorArif NurmohamedStarsRobin Lane FoxGiovanni CastagnaSylvian FachardEminent classical historian Robin Lane Fox embarks on a journey in search of the origins of the Greek myths. He firmly believes that these fantastical stories lie at the root of western culture, and yet little is known about where the myths of the Greek gods came from, and how they grew. Now, after 35 years of travelling, excavation and interpretation, he is confident he has uncovered answers.
- DirectorSpike GeilingerStarsJames FoxThe Art of Cornwall - Writer and lecturer James Fox tells the remarkable story of Cornwall's unique contribution to British art. For a period in the 20th century, Cornwall was the home of the avant garde, eclipsing London, Paris and New York, as a group of super-talented individuals sought refuge and inspiration in the West Country. From painter Kit Wood, who brought the surrealist influences of Twenties Paris, to Barbara Hepworth's Modernist sculptures, James traces Cornwall's evolution to the hub of a new international art movement, and explores its sudden fall after the mid-Sixties. The Art Of Cornwall also covers the work of artists Peter Lanyon, Patrick Heron, Terry Frost and sculptor Naum Gabo.
- StarsAlastair SookeAlastair Sooke examines three periods in the history of British sculpture and the masterpieces they produced.
- StarsJames ShapiroWorld-renowned American scholar, Professor James Shapiro re-examines the work of the world's greatest playwright during the exciting but troubled reign of King James.
- StarsStephen SmithA look at how the Art Nouveau movement flourished in the burgeoning cities of Europe at the end of the 19th century.
- StarsAndrew Graham-DixonThis 3 part series is presented by the British Art Critic, Andrew Graham-Dixon. He explores the Low Countries of the Netherlands and Belgium and how history has influenced the area's art, architecture and culture. Cloth was used in the area's first expression of art in the making of tapestries going back to the 14 th century. They were the No. 1 luxury item of the day. The Low Countries were well placed geographically for markets for their art.
- DirectorAlastair LaurenceStarsAndrew HusseyThis is a documentary about the history of the Louvre museum, the building and the historical people influencing it as reflected in the various treasures inside it.
- DirectorIan DenyerStarsLars TharpHistorian Lars Tharp looks at six pieces of Chinese porcelain to understand the development of the art form and the civilization that gave rise to it.
- DirectorDominic GallagherStarsPierce BrosnanNoah CharneyDick EllisA look at some of the most ambitious art thefts in history and their significance for the development of art history as a whole.
- StarsMichael ScottRosie WylesEdith HallClassicist Dr Michael Scott presents a three-part series looking at the power, influence and history of Ancient Greece, particularly Athens, through the prism of one of its most important cultural spaces - the theatre.
- DirectorLiam CarrollStarsMichael GradeAlan BoydRonnie CorbettMichael Grade tells a tale of television skullduggery and dirty dealings in the battle to win the Saturday night ratings crown.
- DirectorPhilip SmithStarsClaire FoyNeil GaimanRichard HolmesA drama-documentary telling the story of the celebrated gathering in Geneva, 1816 which led to the creation of both Frankenstein and the first modern vampire story.
- StarsWaldemar JanuszczakRococo art is often dismissed as frivolous. But Waldemar Januszczak disagrees and in this three-part series he tries to bring Rococo art closer to us, and argues that the Rococo was the age in which the modern world was born.
- StarsAlastair SookeZahi HawassSalima IkramIn this 3 part series Alistair Sooke visits 30 great treasures of Egyptian art, some in Egypt either in situ or in the Cairo Museum, others in museums elsewhere.
- DirectorFrancis HanlyStarsSimon Schama
- 20142 eps8.6 (20)TV Mini SeriesStarsJonathan MeadesJonathan Meades dives deep into the motives behind Brutalist architecture, the story of its fall from grace and its unapologetic continued relevance.
- StarsAndrew Graham-DixonDocumentary of architecture on ghothic buildings, the makeup and the evolution to the perpendicular (British) gothic architecture that we see much of in Britain today.
- DirectorIan LeeseStarsAndrew Graham-DixonGiuseppe PallantiJean-Pierre IsboutsBehind the enigmatic smile, the Mona Lisa remains a mystery, fuelling endless speculation.
- StarsNeil BrandPatricia HammondRick WakemanComposer and musician Neil Brand explores the magical elements that come together to create our favourite songs.
- DirectorJude HoStarsAlastair SookePeter BlakeJohnson ChangA visual history of the significance and impact of the Pop Art movement in the Sixties and beyond.
- StarsAlastair SookeEdith HallVassilisSeries in which Alastair Sooke explores the riches and unique legacy of Greek art.
- StarsLucy WorsleyA.N. WilsonDoug GrantLucy Worsely explores how our idea of romance has developed since the Georgian period
- DirectorJack MacinnesStarsMargaret MountfordWith a PhD in papyrology, Margaret Mountford goes in search of the truth behind the legend of Sappho, the most controversial writer of the ancient world and the first authentic woman's voice in western history. The sensational discovery of a lost papyrus containing the words to songs unheard for 1700 years sends Margaret on a journey of exploration. From the fragmentary documents, ruined temple architecture and surviving oriental jewellery, the programme conjures the real world of the woman, whose erotic writings gave us the words 'sapphic' and 'lesbian', after the island of Lesbos the place of her birth. Was she indeed the first lesbian, a priestess, prostitute, a stern schoolmistress or an aristocratic lady of leisure as readers over the centuries have variously alleged. Plus how each generation's view of the archetypal liberated woman of letters tells us as much about us and our fears and concerns as it does about her.
- StarsDominic Sandbrook
- DirectorPeter GauvainStarsDallas CampbellDanielle GeorgeHugh HuntTV presenter Dallas Campbell, engineer Professor Danielle George and engineer Dr Hugh Hunt re-create the opening of the BBC's television service on 2 November 1936. This involves building the mechanical flying-spot cameras that were used by Baird's system.
- StarsSuzy Klein
- DirectorLuke McMahonStarsJames FoxLike many people, Cambridge University art historian Dr James Fox has never really "got" conceptual art. In this documentary he sets out to provide an open-minded guide to the art form for the perplexed.
- StarsWaldemar JanuszczakIn this series critic and writer Waldemar Januszczak challenges the traditional review that the European Renaissance originated in southern Europe, advocating a case for the north instead.
- StarsSuzy KleinLe PustraSuzy Klein explores how dictatorship shaped classical music in Europe between the Russian Revolution and the Second World War.
- StarsLucy WorsleyAntonio PappanoVincenzo BorghettiHistorian Lucy Worsley explores the history behind some of the world's greatest operas and how they reflected the cities in which they were written.
- DirectorIan Michael JonesStarsJonathan AdamsFrank Lloyd WrightWyn ThomasFrank Lloyd Wright is America's greatest ever architect. But few people know about the Welsh roots that shaped his life and world-famous buildings. Now, leading Welsh architect Jonathan Adams sets off across America to explore Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces for himself. Along the way, he uncovers the tempestuous life story of the man behind them, and the secrets of his radical Welsh background . In a career spanning seven decades, Frank Lloyd Wright built over 500 buildings, and changed the face of modern architecture.
- CreatorAdam ReeveStarsAmber ButchartNinya MikhailaHarriet WaterhouseFashion historian Amber Butchart fuses biography, art and the history of fashion as she explores the lives of historical figures by examining the clothes that they wore.
- StarsWaldemar JanuszczakA history of American art with Waldemar Januszczak.
- StarsWaldemar JanuszczakArt sleuth Waldemar Januszczak uncovers the secret meanings hidden within some of the greatest paintings by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne and Seurat .
- StarsPaul MertonCarla LaemmleAngela LansburyPaul Merton looks at the pioneers of early Hollywood and how they laid down the blueprint for the modern cinema industry.
- StarsDaniel BoyarskyMátyás TóthDániel BakiDrama documentary explaining Shakespeare's career and examining his personal and professional history. Numerous experts tell his story interspersed with dramatic vignettes showing key moments in his life.