Art documentaries
by ana23t | created - 20 Dec 2020 | updated - 20 Dec 2020 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds: A Tale of Three Cities (2014)
60 min | Documentary
Dr 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.
Star: James Fox
Votes: 91
2. Art of America (2011– )
Not Rated | Documentary, History
Andrew Graham-Dixon, a leading UK art critic, crosses the Atlantic to explore the story of American art.
Star: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Votes: 99
3. The Art of Scandinavia (2016)
Documentary
An examination of the relationship between art, history and landscape in Norway, Denmark and Sweden from the Middle Ages to the present.
Stars: Andrew Graham-Dixon, Søren Malling, Alexander Ahndoril, Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril
Votes: 122
4. A History of Art in Three Colours (2012)
60 min | Documentary, History
Dr James Fox explores how, in the hands of artists, the colors gold, blue and white have stirred our emotions, changed the way we behave and even altered the course of history.
Stars: James Fox, Bill Anders, David Watkin, Paolo Penko
Votes: 99
5. How Art Made the World (2005– )
300 min | Documentary
Documentary series looking at the influence of art on the current day situation of our society.
Stars: Nigel Spivey, Vilayanur Ramachandran, Stefano Mariottini, James David Lewis-Williams
Votes: 666
6. The Renaissance Unchained (2016)
60 min | Documentary
In 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.
Star: Waldemar Januszczak
Votes: 163
7. Rococo: Travel, Pleasure, Madness (2014)
59 min | Documentary
Rococo 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.
Star: Waldemar Januszczak
Votes: 86
8. Understanding Art: Impressionism (2011– )
The sunny landscapes and shimmering portraits of the 19th century impressionists adorn candy boxes and designer T-shirts. But as critic Waldemar Januszczak reveals in this four-part ... See full summary »
Star: Waldemar Januszczak
Votes: 41
9. The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution (2011– )
60 min | Documentary
Art writer Waldemar Januszczak explores the revolutionary achievements of the Impressionists.
Star: Waldemar Januszczak
Votes: 149
10. Baroque! From St Peter's to St Paul's (2009)
60 min | Documentary
In this three-part documentary series Waldemar Januszczak discovers paintings, sculptures and architecture of the Baroque period. Starting from the square of Saint Peter's Basilica in Italy to St Paul's Cathedral in England.
Star: Waldemar Januszczak
Votes: 96
11. Civilizations (2018)
60 min | Documentary, History
Nine-part series telling the story of art from the dawn of human history to the present day, for the first time on a global scale. It is now nearly half a century since Kenneth Clark's ... See full summary »
Stars: Liev Schreiber, Simon Schama, Maya Jasanoff, Mary Beard
Votes: 669
12. The High Art of the Low Countries (2013)
Not Rated | 59 min | Documentary
This 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, ... See full summary »
Star: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Votes: 94
13. Art of Germany (2010– )
Documentary, History
Andrew Graham-Dixon looks at neglected, but rich German art from the time of the Middle Ages.
Star: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Votes: 128
14. The Art of France (2017)
180 min | Documentary, History
Andrew Graham-Dixon examines the history of French art, revealing how it emerged from a struggle between tradition and revolution, and rulers and citizens. He compresses centuries of culture into three thematically linked chapters.
Star: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Votes: 116
15. The Art of Russia (2009– )
60 min | Documentary
Art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon presents the incredible story of Russian art - its mystery and magnificence.
Star: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Votes: 98
16. Art of China (2014)
59 min | Documentary
Andrew Graham-Dixon undertakes an epic journey to uncover the art of China.
Star: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Votes: 69
17. Art of Spain (2008)
Documentary
Andrew Graham-Dixon travels to 3 areas of Spain to examine and interpret the various art of this country. He also has other series about art, one of German art and the other in Sweden.
Star: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Votes: 116
18. The Art of Gothic: Britain's Midnight Hour (2014)
59 min | Documentary
Documentary of architecture on ghothic buildings, the makeup and the evolution to the perpendicular (British) gothic architecture that we see much of in Britain today.
Star: Andrew Graham-Dixon
Votes: 61
19. Treasures of Ancient Rome (2012– )
Documentary, History
Alastair Sooke takes an in-depth look at the art of the Roman Empire in an attempt to refute the claims that Rome didn't produce any art of originality during its
Stars: Alastair Sooke, Vito Zagarrio, Leo Stevenson, Richard Beacham
Votes: 80
20. The Secret Life of Books (2014– )
Not Rated | 30 min | Documentary
Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, and Great Expectations are just a few of the classic works of fiction that we all know and love. But how well do we really know them? In this series, ... See full summary »
Stars: Samantha Bond, Cerys Matthews, Alice Roberts, Fiona Shaw
Votes: 25
21. The Silk Road (2016– )
155 min | Documentary
Dr Sam Willis reveals how the Silk Road was the world's first global superhighway where people with new ideas, new cultures and new religions made exchanges that shaped humanity.
Stars: Sam Willis, Ye, Tabatabaei, Nijoz Karimov
Votes: 103
22. Oceans Apart: Art and the Pacific with James Fox (2018)
59 min | Documentary, History
Art Historian James Fox explores how colonial explorers devastated the indigenous communities of Southwest Pacific, while also introducing the world to aboriginal art and culture.
Stars: James Fox, Alfred Nayinggul, Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp, Hinano Murphy
Votes: 36
23. The Minoans (2004 TV Movie)
PG | 120 min | Documentary, History
Best known for the myth of the Minotaur, Crete gave birth to Europe's first civilization. Yet little is known about those who inhabited the island. But now, with fresh archeological ... See full summary »
Directors: Melanie Archer, Tim Kirby | Stars: Bettany Hughes, Nicholas Farrell, George Tsonev, Dion Pala
Votes: 81
24. A Very British Romance (2015)
60 min | Documentary, History, Romance
Lucy Worsely explores how our idea of romance has developed since the Georgian period
Stars: Lucy Worsley, A.N. Wilson, Doug Grant, John Benjamin
Votes: 209
25. Tales from the Royal Wardrobe (2014 TV Movie)
PG | 59 min | Documentary, History
Today, few people's clothes attract as much attention as the royal family, but this is not a modern-day paparazzi-inspired obsession. Historian Dr. Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator at Historic ... See full summary »
Director: Nick Gillam-Smith | Stars: Lucy Worsley, Beatrice Behlen, Shaun Cole, Meredith Etherington-Smith
Votes: 235
26. The Art of Japanese Life (2017)
177 min | Documentary, History
Dr James Fox examines the art and culture of Japan, exploring the links between culture, the countryside, urban landscapes and religion.
Stars: James Fox, Yoshiaki Nakamura, Daikô Matsuyam, Yoshitaka Nukina
Votes: 181
27. The Real Versailles (2016 TV Movie)
History
Lucy Worsley untangles Louis XIV's complex world of court etiquette, fashion and feasting, while court politics expert Helen Castor delves into the archives and unpicks the Machiavellian world that Louis created.
Director: Rosie Schellenberg | Stars: Helen Castor, Lucy Worsley
Votes: 177
28. Picasso: Magic, Sex & Death (2001– )
156 min | Documentary
John Richardson, Picasso's friend and biographer, tells the extraordinary story of the 20th century's greatest artist.
Star: John Richardson
Votes: 33
29. The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo (2005 TV Movie)
90 min | Documentary
A documentary feature about the life of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.
Director: Amy Stechler | Stars: Heinz Berggruen, Estela de Bassagoda, Lila Downs, Arturo Estrada
Votes: 202
31. Toulouse-Lautrec: The Full Story (2006 TV Movie)
120 min | Documentary, Biography
Art Critic Waldemar Januzczak presents this documentary which details french artist Toulouse-Lautrec's life.
Director: Waldemar Januszczak | Star: Waldemar Januszczak
Votes: 38
32. Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World (2011)
PG | 90 min | Documentary, History
In our post-9/11 world, a greater understanding across cultures is more important than ever before, yet the purpose of this program is not simply to provide political or historical context.... See full summary »
Director: Robert H. Gardner | Stars: Mohammad Al-Asad, Sheila S. Blair, Jonathan M. Bloom, Afshan Bokhari
Votes: 154
33. Landmarks of Western Art: From Rococo to Revolution (2003 Video)
50 min | Documentary
Following the development of non-secular art in the seventeenth century, the world of art in the eighteenth century assumed a more decorative role with a greater emphasis on pastoral themes... See full summary »
Director: Bob Carruthers | Stars: William Cummins, Simon Lee, Timothy Martin, Penelope Wickson
34. Landmarks of Western Art: The Late Medieval World (2003 Video)
50 min | Documentary
During the long years of the Dark Ages, the flickering flame of art was kept alive principally by the church. While all around was dark, the great masters of Medieval art such as Giotto and... See full summary »
35. Landmarks of Western Art: The Renaissance (2003 Video)
50 min | Documentary
The Renaissance is the remarkable story of the age in which the techniques and inspirations which had been lost since the classical era were rediscovered and reintroduced into the world of ... See full summary »
Votes: 8
36. Landmarks of Western Art: The Baroque (2003 Video)
50 min | Documentary
Once the world of art had rediscovered the power to create great works, new limits of realism and expression were found. Featuring the work of Velasquez, Caravaggio, Frans Hals, Rembrandt ... See full summary »
37. Landmarks of Western Art: Impressionism & Post-Impressionism (2003 Video)
Not Rated | 50 min | Documentary
Never was a world so completely turned upside down as with the arrival of the Impressionist School. Cezanne, Seurat and Manet all produced inspirational and at the time even controversial ... See full summary »
38. Landmarks of Western Art: Romanticism (2003 Video)
50 min | Documentary
As the strict classical disciplines of the eighteenth century began to fade, two very different movements came to prominence: from Constable and Turner influenced by nature, through to the ... See full summary »
39. Dan Cruickshank & the Family That Built Gothic Britain (2014 TV Movie)
60 min | Documentary, History
Documents the works of three generations of Gothic architects Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878), George Gilbert Scott Jr (1839-1897) and Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (1880-1960). Between them... See full summary »
Director: Tim Dunn | Stars: Dan Cruickshank, Gavin Stamp, Franklin Bishop, Marie-Severine de Caraman Chimay
Votes: 18
40. Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011)
PG-13 | 86 min | Documentary, Biography
A look at the life and work of the influential fashion editor of Harpers Bazaar, Diana Vreeland.
Directors: Lisa Immordino Vreeland, Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt, Frédéric Tcheng | Stars: Diana Vreeland, Richard Avedon, David Bailey, Lauren Bacall
Votes: 1,696 | Gross: $1.00M
41. Around the World in 80 Treasures (2005)
TV-G | 60 min | Documentary
Dan Cruickshank goes in search of 80 treasures that define civilizations around the world.
Star: Dan Cruickshank
Votes: 271
42. Adventures in Architecture (2008– )
60 min | Documentary
Historian and writer Dan Cruickshank celebrates architecture as a creative force as he explores the world's greatest cities, buildings and monuments.
Star: Dan Cruickshank
Votes: 129
43. 10 Buildings That Changed America (2013 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 56 min | Documentary, History
10 Buildings That Changed America tells the stories of ten influential works of architecture, the people who imagined them, and the way these landmarks ushered in innovative cultural shifts throughout our society.
Star: Geoffrey Baer
Votes: 60
44. 10 Homes That Changed America (2016 TV Movie)
TV-G | 56 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Ten American homes designed by visionary architects, their eclectic clients and current homeowners are highlighted. Each home combined form, function and art to challenge the nature of a home and evolving relationship with it.
Star: Geoffrey Baer
Votes: 41
45. Modern Masters (2010– )
Documentary
Stars: Alastair Sooke, Dennis Hopper, Mary Woronov, Gerard Malanga
Votes: 96
46. Picasso: Love, Sex and Art (2015 TV Movie)
60 min | Documentary
Documentary telling the story of the women who fed the life and art of Pablo Picasso, many of whom would find themselves damaged forever by the experience of being his partner.
Director: Hugues Nancy
Votes: 31
47. The Art That Made Mexico: Paradise, Power and Prayers (2017)
180 min | Documentary, History
Star: Alinka Echeverria
Votes: 12
48. Frank Lloyd Wright: The Man Who Built America (2017)
Not Rated | 59 min | Documentary
Frank 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 ... See full summary »
Director: Ian Michael Jones | Stars: Jonathan Adams, Frank Lloyd Wright, Wyn Thomas, Meryle Secrest
Votes: 103
49.
Perspectives (2011– )
Episode:
Will Young: Rene Magritte, Man in the Hat
(2014)
46 min | Documentary
Director: Michael Burke | Stars: Will Young, René Magritte, Marilyn De Cordier, Charly Herscovici
Votes: 17
50. Klimt & Schiele - Eros and Psyche (2018)
Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary
1918. As the roar of the First World War cannons is dying out, in Vienna, the heart of Central Europe, a golden age comes to an end. The Austro-Hungarian Empire is beginning to disintegrate... See full summary »
Director: Michele Mally | Stars: Lorenzo Richelmy, Maxi Blaha, Rudolf Buchbinder, Lily Cole
Votes: 242
51. Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner (2008)
91 min | Documentary
Renowned architectural filmmaker Murray Grigor explores John Lautner's dramatic spaces with choreographed camera moves, as Lautner himself provides the commentary, speaking with insight and wit in recordings culled from archival sources.
Director: Murray Grigor | Stars: Sean Connery, Karol Lautner Peterson, Frank Gehry, Julia Strickland
Votes: 78
52. Antonio Gaudí (1984)
Not Rated | 72 min | Documentary
The work of Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí, as seen by Japanese New Wave director Hiroshi Teshigahara.
Director: Hiroshi Teshigahara | Stars: Isidro Puig Boada, Antoni Gaudí, Seiji Miyaguchi
Votes: 1,742
53. Secrets of Britain's Great Cathedrals (2018)
54 min | Documentary
Dominating the landscape for centuries, ancient cathedrals and abbeys reflect Britain's turbulent history through their architectural grandeur-stories of its kings and queens and the ... See full summary »
Star: Simon Callow
Votes: 12
54. Buildings in the Name of God (2005 TV Movie)
120 min | Documentary
The programme charts the challenge of erecting five breakthrough monuments from the birth of Christianity to the present day. We reveal the secrets of their epic construction using cutting ... See full summary »
Director: Jobim Sampson
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