Discover the secrets of the Royal Collection - the last great dynastic art collection collected by the British Royal Family. With over a million pieces, the Royal Collection is a brilliant showcase of fine and decorative arts that gives a glimpse into the tastes and passions of kings and queens over the last 500 years. 

In each episode join historian and art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon as he uncovers the stories and secrets behind key pieces in the collection revealing fascinating stories about the Royal Family by looking at the objects they collected. 

Andrew Graham-Dixon reveals the secrets of the Royal Collection - the last great dynastic art collection collected by the British Royal Family. 

Art, Passion and Power: The Story of the Royal Collection

Join esteemed historian Simon Schama as he shares the brilliant stories behind key masterworks from Caravaggio, Bernini, Rembrandt, David Turner, Van Gogh, and Picasso. 

In each episode, Schama focuses on a single artist, revealing the history and secrets woven into one of their famous works. From the emotional intensity of Van Gogh's brushstrokes to the revolutionary vision of Picasso's compositions, Schama reveals the fascinating history and evolution of artists who have changed how we view the world. 

Join esteemed historian Simon Schama as he shares the brilliant stories behind key masterworks from Caravaggio to Picasso. 

Simon Schama's Power of Art

"Art That Made Us" delivers a fresh perspective on British history. Narrated by David Threlfall, this eight-part series takes viewers on a 1,500-year journey across eight turning points, using iconic artworks to tell an alternative story of a nation.

Prominent artists and cultural historians examine literature, architecture, sculpture, and painting that emerged during times of crisis and change. The series documents the Roman withdrawal and explores how art responded to subsequent invasions. Its timeline progresses through the Black Death's impact on creativity, the theological strife of the Reformation, and the Civil War. It delves into the Georgian Era, the Industrial Revolution, World Wars across Europe, and the cultural revolution of the 1960s.

From the Romans to the Unions, a fresh perspective on British history is uncovered in the landmark series "Art That Made Us."

Art That Made Us

Titian’s six nude masterpieces, inspired by Greek and Roman mythology, were reunited for the first time in centuries at London’s National Gallery. However, just as the exhibition opened, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the gallery to close. This documentary offers a rare glimpse of these iconic works before they were once again hidden from public view.

In 1550, Titian, Europe’s most celebrated painter, met Prince Philip of Spain, leading to one of art history’s most extraordinary commissions. Drawing inspiration from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Titian created six groundbreaking paintings that explore human desire, sexuality, and the consequences of love. Scattered across the globe, these works had not been united in over 450 years. Art enthusiasts have long dreamed of seeing them together, as Titian intended.

In addition to showcasing these stunning visuals, the documentary features expert interviews with art historians, classicists, and artists, offering insights into the enduring significance of these masterpieces.

Titian’s ''Love, Desire, and Death'' unite after 450 years in London's National Gallery.

Titian: Behind Closed Doors

Paul Gauguin's vivid depictions of Pacific Island landscapes and exotic women provide a glimpse into a world few could experience in his time. However, beneath his celebrated paintings lies a life as shocking today as it was then. 

Dominic West narrates Gauguin's own words, offering frank confessions in a film that both honors the artist's accomplishments and confronts his sexual exploitation of young Indigenous girls and his complicity in 19th-century French colonialism.

Filmed in France, New Zealand, Tahiti, the Marquesas Islands, and the UK, this documentary features insights from Gauguin’s descendants — great-granddaughter Mette Gauguin and Tahitian grandson Marcel Tai Gauguin — alongside commentary from art historians and contemporary artists Kehinde Wiley, Tai Shan Schierenberg, and Tyla Vaeau. Through a diverse range of perspectives, both critical and compassionate, the film presents a 21st-century analysis of this 19th-century enigma.

Paul Gauguin is one of the world’s most popular – and controversial – artists. Instantly recognisable, his paintings are in galleries across the globe and have been adored for their colourful beauty.

Gauguin: A Dangerous Life

Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr.Strange, Sherlock) stars as Vincent Van Gogh in this captivating blend of theater and documentary.

A seamless blend of theatrical storytelling and historical insight, ''Van Gogh: Painted with Words'' reveals the tumultuous life of the Dutch painter with fascinating detail. Cumberbatch effortlessly portrays Van Gogh, revealing hidden dimensions of the painter's complex psyche. Based on years of research, every word he speaks was meticulously sourced from Van Gogh's extensive writings and correspondence with his brother Theo, offering an authentic portrayal of the artist's innermost thoughts and struggles. This film explores how Van Gogh's art impacted himself and the world. 

Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Vincent Van Gogh in this captivating blend of theater and documentary.

Van Gogh: Painted with Words

Join acclaimed art historian Alastair Sooke for a fascinating exploration of the history of Pop Art. 

From the bustling streets of New York City to the avant-garde galleries of Europe, Sooke offers a fresh perspective on the works of Pop Art luminaries like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Sooke peels back the layers of Pop Art's glossy facade, revealing a movement brimming with subversive wit and radical ideas that challenged conventions, redefined artistic norms, and ultimately changed the course of art history forever. Through this journey, discover a renewed appreciation for the bright colors and artistic vision of Pop Art. 

Join art historian Alastair Sooke for a riveting documentary exploring the history of Pop Art. 

Soup Cans and Superstars: How Pop Art Changed the World

The 19th-century Impressionist movement is reevaluated by contemporary art critic Matthew Collings, who asserts it was the most significant development in modern art. 

Collings traces its rebellious Parisian origins, starting with realist painter Gustave Courbet's allegorical critiques of government, and the groundbreaking works of Édouard Manet, and Paul Cézanne. He compares the shock value of Monet's "Impression: Sunrise" to recent art by Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin. 

Delving deeper, Collings explores its key principles: flatness, patterning, vibrant colors, and accurate portrayals of everyday life. He emphasizes how the Impressionists, with their lively techniques and focus on ordinary subjects, challenged the art elite's preference for formulaic and fantastical works. This documentary ultimately positions the radical French movement as a pivotal force in art history, laying the groundwork for the rise of the avant-garde.

BAFTA-winning art critic Matthew Collings traces the rebellious rise of Impressionism as seen through the work of Cézanne, Courbet, and Monet.

Impressionism: Revenge Of The Nice

Recommendations

Continue Watching

Delve into George IV's extravagant collection and the artistic passions shared by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Palaces and Pleasuredomes

Subscribe now to watch

Cast & Crew

Recommendations