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Art That Made Us

Art That Made Us

★ 5.5/10•2022•59m•Documentary
Similars

An alternative history of the British Isles, told through art. Looking at 1,500 years and eight dramatic turning points, acclaimed artists and thinkers encounter key historic art works from across the UK that have shaped the history of the British Isles and inspired their own work.

Russell Barnes · Director

StatusEnded
Runtime59m
LanguageEN
First Air DateApr 7, 2022

Episodes

Episode 1 - Lights in the DarknessE158m

Lights in the Darkness

Episode one immerses us in the turbulent era that followed the Roman occupation of Britain. After the Romans leave, waves of invasion reshape the Isles and their cultures: from glittering jewellery to carved stones to intricate manuscripts. Battles over identity and faith play out in art and culminate in the rise of a new vernacular language.

Apr 7, 2022

Episode 2 - Revolution of the DeadE259m

Revolution of the Dead

Episode two traces an alternative history of the Black Death of the Middle Ages. From the chaos of the Black Death comes creative renewal; survivors finding their voice through satire and a revived literature in English, including breakthrough works by women, and through new craft in cathedral building and stained glass.

Apr 14, 2022

Episode 3 - Queens, Feuds and FaithE359m

Queens, Feuds and Faith

Episode three looks at the story of the 16th century religious revolution, as England and other parts of the British Isles turned to Protestantism.

Apr 21, 2022

Episode 4 - To Kill a KingE458m

To Kill a King

A splintering of politics and religion in the British Isles under the Stuart kings leads to more questioning art, new science and architecture.

Apr 28, 2022

Episode 5 - Consumers and ConscienceE558m

Consumers and Conscience

In the 18th century, trade and conquest funds an explosion of creativity, and art stirs a growing social conscience.

May 5, 2022

Episode 6 - Rise of the CitiesE658m

Rise of the Cities

With the industrial revolution transforming the British Isles, cities and country are divided and artists respond to the upheaval to lives and the landscape.

May 12, 2022

Episode 7 - Wars and PeaceE759m

Wars and Peace

The world wars force artists to grapple with destruction and savagery, challenging conventions and the old imperial order, while those fleeing war bring new ideas to Britain.

May 19, 2022

Episode 8 - Brilliant IslesE859m

Brilliant Isles

In the final episode of the series, an explosion of new voices from across the British Isles reinvents the arts, creating a richer, more diverse culture.

May 26, 2022

Actors

David Threlfall

David Threlfall

Self - Narrator (voice)

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American Masters
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History 101
Mysteries at the Museum
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Baseball
Antiques Roadshow
30 for 30
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Ancient Apocalypse
The Real History of Science Fiction
This Is Pop
How Do They Do It?
Secrets of the Dead
World War II with Tom Hanks
The World According to Jeff Goldblum

Similars

Simon Schama's History of Now
The Legends of Paris: A Tale of the 19th Century Artistic Scene
Lost Women Art
The Face of Britain by Simon Schama
Art of China
Karin och Carl Larsson
Art of the Western World
The Greatest Museums of the World
Simon Schama's Power of Art
The Great Epochs of European Art
Houses of Art
Leonardo da Vinci
Becoming Frida Kahlo
1066: The Battle for Middle Earth
Art of Germany
Rebuilding Ancient Rome
The Art of Russia
A Musée Vous, A Musée Moi
The Romantics and Us with Simon Schama
Bares für Rares