Documentaries
Curated art-history documentaries and series. Use them to visualize techniques, hear curator commentary, and contextualize movements covered in the chapters.
Surveys & Series
- The Story of Art in America — overview of U.S. art with museum visits.
- Simon Schama’s Power of Art — dramatic episodes on pivotal artists (Caravaggio, Bernini, Rembrandt, Turner, Van Gogh, Picasso, Rothko).
- Civilisations (BBC) — global survey with high production values.
- Art21 — contemporary artists in their studios; themes by episode.
Artist-Focused
- Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent van Gogh — letters-based narrative.
- Frida (biopic with strong art direction) — context for Kahlo’s imagery.
- Rivers and Tides — Andy Goldsworthy’s land art and process.
- Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present — performance and endurance practice.
- Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child — 1980s New York context.
Movements & Themes
- Impressionists (BBC) — dramatized series on Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir.
- The Shock of the New (Robert Hughes) — modernism’s rise and cultural impact.
- Exit Through the Gift Shop — street art, Banksy, and questions of authorship.
- Helvetica — typography, modernist design, and visual culture.
- Abstract: The Art of Design — contemporary design across fields (graphic, product, architecture).
Architecture & Design
- My Architect — Louis Kahn’s buildings and legacy.
- Bauhaus: The Face of the 20th Century — school history and influence.
- Eames: The Architect and the Painter — design practice and process.
- Sketches of Frank Gehry — practice, models, and built work.
Tip
Pair a documentary with its chapter: watch, then note 3–5 visual traits or historical points that reinforce the reading. Many museum channels also offer curator-led close-looking videos—great for studying technique and material.