Art of France
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.
- 2017-2017
- 1 season
- Documentary
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.
Season 1 Episode Guide
3 Episodes 2017
Episode 1
Plus Ca Change
51 mins
Art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon considers how French art evolved, with some constants, also compared to other (Western) cultures. In Gothic art it pioneered, notably in (church) architecture and miniatures. Wide foreign recruiting makes it artistically a 'bastard nation' with lots of Italian, Flemish, German - imports. France was almost passive in the Italian)led Renaissance except for Montaigne's essay invention and Poussin's reflective paintings. Its aberrant, 'Classicist' version of Baroque peeked in Versailles and set rigorous Academy standards part of planning, fitting absolutist France's imperialism. Followed by Manieristic Rococo and the end of the realm I the French Revolution, quickly restored in Napoleon's Empire.
Episode 2
There Will Be Blood
52 mins
Andrew explores how art in France took a dramatic turn following the French Revolution. From the execution of King Louis XVI and the rise of Napoleon through to the rise of Romanticism and an art of seduction, sex and high drama.
Episode 3
This Is the Modern World
50 mins