Art

Video documentaries about all art forms

French Revolution

The French Revolution: Tearing up History

Art, History / 2 minutes of reading / / By

A journey through the dramatic and destructive years of the French Revolution, telling its history in a way not seen before – through the extraordinary story of its art. Our guide through this turbulent decade is the constantly surprising Dr Richard Clay, an art historian who has spent his life decoding the symbols of power and authority.     Dr Clay has always been fascinated by vandalism and iconoclasm, and believes much of the untold story of the French Revolution can be discovered through the stories of great moments of destruction. Who were the stone masons in the crowd outside […]

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Treasures of Ancient Rome

The Treasures of Ancient Rome [ 3 parts]

Art / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Alastair Sooke takes an in-depth look at the art of the Roman Empire. The Romans were brilliant engineers and soldiers, but what isn’t as well known is that they also gave us wonderful artistic treasures. Treasures of Ancient Rome part 1     In this three-part series, Alastair Sooke argues that the old-fashioned view that the Romans didn’t do art is nonsense. He traces how the Romans during the Republic went from being art thieves and copycats to pioneering a new artistic style – warts ‘n’ all realism. Roman portraits reveal what the great names from history, men like Julius

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Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer, Beyond Time

Art / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Plunge into Johannes Vermeer world and rediscover this enigmatic master. One of the best known yet most mysterious painters of all time, he astonishingly ended up in oblivion. His work, reflecting everyday life in the 17th Century, has gained international recognition, despite only 37 paintings left behind. But who was this man, always portrayed as a solitary, who remained anonymous in his own day?     Discover the world of Vermeer, at times of economic boom and creative frenzy, in a small country that fostered the blossoming of hundreds of artists and thousands of exceptional paintings. This docudrama immerses us

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Vermeer

Great Art: Vermeer

Art / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Johannes Vermeer is one of the most enduring paintings in the history of art, but despite its popularity, the painting itself is surrounded by mystery. Who was this girl, why and how was it painted, and why is it so revered? This film takes us on a journey through the masterpieces of the extensively-renovated Mauritshuis in The Hague in the Netherlands to try to answer many of the questions surrounding this enigmatic painting and its mysterious creator.     Johannes Vermeer (October 1632 – December 1675) Was a Dutch painter who specialized in domestic

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Great Art Rembrandt

Great Art: Rembrandt

Art / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Great Art: Rembrandt – Every Rembrandt exhibition is eagerly anticipated, but a once-in-a-lifetime show at London’s National Gallery and Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum that took 15 years to prepare was remarkable. With exclusive and privileged access to both galleries, this film documents this landmark exhibition while interweaving Rembrandt’s life story with behind-the-scenes preparations at these world-famous institutions. To many Rembrandt is the greatest artist that ever lived, and this film seeks to explore the truth.     Great Art Rembrandt – Early life and training Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born in Leiden in the Netherlands in 1606. His father was a

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Michelangelo

Great Art: Michelangelo – Love and Death

Art / 2 minutes of reading / / By

The spectacular sculptures and paintings of Michelangelo seem so familiar to us, but what do we really know about this Renaissance genius, and who was this ambitious and passionate man? A virtuoso craftsman, Michelangelo’s artistry is evident in everything that he touched. Spanning his 89 years, this episode takes a cinematic journey from the print and drawing rooms of Europe through the great chapels and museums of Florence, Rome and the Vatican to explore the tempestuous life of Michelangelo.     Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni Or more commonly known by his first name Michelangelo (6 March 1475 – 18

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The Impressionists

Great Art : The Impressionists and the Man who Made them

Art / 2 minutes of reading / / By

The Impressionists and the Man who Made them: Monet, Cezanne, Degas and Renoir are some of the world’s most popular artists. Their works, and that of their contemporaries, fetch tens of millions of dollars around the globe. Who were they and how exactly did they paint? To help answer these questions, this film focuses on the man credited with inventing impressionism as we know it – 19th-century Parisian art collector Paul Durand-Ruel.     It was his brave decision to back these radical artists and then, on the verge of bankruptcy, to exhibit them in New York in 1886 that

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Canaletto

Great Art : Canaletto and the Art of Venice

Art / 4 minutes of reading / / By

Canaletto and the Art of Venice – Embark on an unforgettable journey through the captivating world of Canaletto and the Art of Venice – a magnificent ode to the timeless allure of great art. This awe-inspiring exploration is graciously introduced by the exceptionally talented curator and esteemed broadcaster, Tim Marlow. Renowned for his impeccable eye for artistic brilliance, Marlow assumes the dual roles of curator and broadcaster, immersing you in a mesmerizing experience that transcends the boundaries of time and space.     Prepare to be enraptured by the sheer magnitude of this artistic odyssey, expertly guided by none other

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restoration of Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci: The Restoration of the Century

Art / 2 minutes of reading / / By

The restoration of Leonardo da Vinci final masterpiece, ‘The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne’ was completed and exhibited in the Louvre in March 2012. Viewers and critics were astounded by its new life and luminosity, allowing details to be seen again for the first time in 500 years. Nevertheless, the pain-staking restoration process caused ructions and controversy amongst the panel of international experts and the restorer chosen to undertake the work.     Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Virgin and Child with Saint Anne’ had already been disfigured by attempts at repairs when the controversial decision was made in 2009 to

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Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Genius of Turner

Art / 2 minutes of reading / / By

A film that looks at the genius of JMW Turner in a new light. There is more to Turner than his sublime landscapes – he also painted machines, science, technology and industry.     Turner’s life spans the Industrial Revolution, he witnessed it as it unfolded, and he painted it. In the process he created a whole new kind of art. The programme examines nine key Turner paintings and shows how we should rethink them in the light of the scientific and Industrial Revolution. Includes interviews with historian Simon Schama and artist Tracey Emin. Joseph Mallord William Turner: Joseph Mallord

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