Art That Made Us

The Legends of Paris: A Tale of the 19th Century Artistic Scene

December 2025 •French

During the turbulent 19th century, a number of brilliant French artists developed the Romantic movement in Paris: writers Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, George Sand, Honoré de Balzac and Charles Baudelaire, painter Eugène Delacroix and composer Hector Berlioz, among others, changed the way of looking at art and created enduring works that have inspired the world to this day.

Art of the Western World

December 2025 •English

First broadcast on October 2, 1989, these 18 original 30-minute episodes provide a panorama of 2000 years of architecture, painting and sculpture, and studies the art masterpieces as reflections of the Western culture that produced them.

Art of Germany

December 2025 •English

In an absorbing study, Andrew Graham-Dixon tells the story of a national art that conveys passion, precision, hope and renewal. He juxtaposes escapism with control and a deep affinity with nature against love for the machine. The fascinating story takes us from the towering cathedral of Cologne, the woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer and paintings of Grünewald to the gothic fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, the Baltic landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich and the industrialisation lent expression of Adolph Menzel and Käthe Kollwitz. As the series progresses, it presents a rare focus on the cultural impact of Hitler's obsession with visual art, reveals how art became an arena for the Cold War and examines the redemptive work of the "visionary" Joseph Beuys – the most influential artist of modern times.

Becoming Frida Kahlo

December 2025 •English

A look into Frida Kahlo's world, revealing an artist driven by politics, power, sex and identity, with her epic love affair with Diego Rivera at the heart of it all.

Karin och Carl Larsson

December 2025 •Swedish

The High Art of the Low Countries

December 2025 •English

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, architecture and culture. Cloth was used in the area's first expression of art in the making of tapestries going back to the 14 th century. They were the No. 1 luxury item of the day. The Low Countries were well placed geographically for markets for their art.

Sister Wendy's Story of Painting

December 2025 •English

Sister Wendy Beckett takes a journey through the history of art in this ten-part series.

Rebuilding Ancient Rome

December 2025 •English

Supported by stunning 3D graphics, Dr. Darius Arya explains the purpose and architectural significance of ancient Roman buildings.

The Art of Russia

December 2025 •English

Art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon travels through time to unlock the world of Russian art.

Leonardo da Vinci

December 2025 •English

This two-part, four-hour documentary delves into the world of a 15th-century art titan and unravels his journey while shedding light on his lasting impact on future generations.

Arthouse

December 2025 •English

Channel 4 documentary series covering all branches of the arts.

Art of France

December 2025 •English

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.

The Art of Gothic: Britain's Midnight Hour

December 2025 •English

Andrew Graham-Dixon explores how a group of 19th-century architects and artists spurned the modern age and turned to Britain's medieval past to create iconic works and buildings.

Big Sky, Big Dreams, Big Art: Made in the USA

December 2025 •English

A history of American art with Waldemar Januszczak

Baroque! From St Peter's to St Paul's

December 2025 •English

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.

Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty

December 2025 •English

The greatest art works of all time - born of war and bloodshed - as rival artists Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael compete to craft beauty from chaos. Starring Charles Dance.

Art Traffickers: Treasures Stolen from the Tombs

December 2025 •English

Through a combination of interviews and studio reconstructions, recount the gripping stories behind those who have excavated and stolen masterpieces.

The Adventurers of Modern Art

December 2025 •French

An intimate portrait of the lives of the artists, founders of modern art, who lived in Montmartre from 1900 until the liberation of France from the German yoke in 1944, near the end of World War II.

How Art Made The World

December 2025 •English

Nigel Spivey reveals how the images which surround us today come from the ancient world. It's an epic journey spanning five continents and a hundred thousand years of history.

Bares für Rares

December 2025 •German

In the show, selected applicants each present a curiosity, rarity or antique they have brought with them. Once they have received their expertise, they will have the opportunity on site to offer their exhibit to a changing five-person podium for sale and, ideally, to sell it to the highest bidder for „Bares“ ("cash").