1.553 minSeason 1 • Episode 9
LatestExplore art in the age of revolution, war and profound scientific change and consider the question: Should art create a separate realm, a place of escape, or should it plunge into the chaos, transforming the way we see and live in the world?
The story of art from the dawn of human history to the present day—for the first time on a global scale. Inspired by Civilisation, Kenneth Clark’s acclaimed landmark 1969 series about Western art, this series broadens the canvas to reveal the role art and the creative imagination have played across multiple cultures and civilizations.
Cinematography
Stunning drone shots of Petra that'll ruin your travel budget.
Writing
Schama's scripts make art history feel like gossip.
Production
Access to treasures most documentaries only dream of.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This series directly responds to criticism that Clark's 1969 original was Eurocentric—BBC literally commissioned it as penance.
The US version replaced Simon Schama's original narration with Liev Schreiber because test audiences found Schama's accent 'too academic.'
GB
