Great Art - Season 2

Widely considered Britain's most popular artist, David Hockney is a global sensation with exhibitions in London, New York, Paris and beyond, attracting millions of visitors worldwide. Now entering his ninth decade Hockney shows absolutely no evidence of slowing down or losing his trademark boldness.Featuring intimate and in-depth interviews with Hockney himself, this revealing documentary captures the voice of the artist. Spread out over five years, focusing on two blockbuster exhibitions held in 2012 and 2016 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, this award-winning documentary demonstrates the creativity and output of a prolific artist who never shies from engaging with modern technologies showing that even art on an iPad can be simply fantastic in the hands of a great artist. It's the unpredictability of Hockney that contributes to his uniqueness. Director Phil Grabsky secured privileged access to craft this cinematic celebration of a 21st- century master of creativity.

Vincent van Gogh's life has long captured the imagination, shrouded in myth and misunderstanding, but who was he really? Delving deep into his fascinating and sometimes deeply troubled world comes this definitive, award-winning documentary directed by David Bickerstaff. Vincent van Gogh: A New Way of Seeing seeks the truth about Van Gogh. What better way to discover the real Van Gogh than through his art? Showcasing his iconic works and featuring extensive access to Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum – along with illuminating letters that capture his most revealing and moving moments – this remarkable documentary brings to life arguably the world's favourite artist and reminds us, in Van Gogh's own words, that ‘Art is long and life is short'.*Just who really was Vincent van Gogh? David Bickerstaff's award-winning documentary delves deep into his fascinating and troubled world. Featuring exclusive access to the Van Gogh Museum, the film brings to life the world's favourite artist.

After 500 years Bosch's paintings still fascinate us but what inspired these strange and fantastical paintings? Featuring an extraordinary popular exhibition which brought almost all of Bosch's work together for the first and last time, this film offers some answers.

At a landmark exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, presenter Tim Marlow looks at one of the all-time great artists, Edouard Manet. The film shows behind-the-scenes moments of the exhibition as well as a detailed biography of Manet's life.

The Artist's Garden: American Impressionism

Directed by Phil Grabsky and narrated by Gillian Anderson.Inspired by the great French masters, including Renoir and Monet, the American Impressionist movement followed its own path which over a forty-year period reveals as much about America as a nation as it does about its art.It's a story closely tied to a love of gardens and a desire to preserve nature in a rapidly urbanizing nation. These gardens provided unlimited inspiration for artists and a never-ending oasis for the growing middle class. As America forged its economic world domination, the pioneering American impressionists crafted a sumptuous visual language that told their story of the era.Travelling to studios, gardens and iconic locations throughout the United States, UK and France – including the sell-out exhibition that began at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and ended at the Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, Connecticut – this mesmerising documentary from director Phil Grabsky is a feast for the eyes. Narrated by Gillian Anderson The Artist's Garden: American Impressionism unravels the history of American artists who flocked to the French village of Giverny, home to the master impressionist Claude Monet, and cheered the French new wave: painting outdoors with a new found brilliance and vitality. Then they took their new skills home and changed American art for ever.

Short synopsis

Gillian Anderson narrates a fascinating film about the rise and fall of the American Impressionists. Their path reveals much about America and its art history. Travelling to the USA, UK and France, this mesmerising film is a feast for the eyes.

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