David Threlfall
Self - Narrator (voice)
TV SERIES
Art That Made Us
Documentary
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.
Top cast
Creative team
Russell Barnes (Director)
You may also like
TV
American Masters
1986Series
TV
History 101
2020Series
TV
TV
Civilisation
1969Series
TV
Top Gear
1978Series
TV
Mysteries at the Museum
2010Series
TV
This Is Pop
2021Series
TV
Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson
2021Series
TV
Grand Designs
1999Series
TV
The Real History of Science Fiction
2014Series
TV
Ancient Apocalypse
2022Series
TV
Baseball
1994Series
Episodes
8 Episodes
011. 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.
022. 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.
033. 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.
044. 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.
055. Consumers and Conscience
In the 18th century, trade and conquest funds an explosion of creativity, and art stirs a growing social conscience.
066. 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.
077. 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.
088. 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.