08: Brilliant Isles | Art That Made Us

Duration: 59'18''

Synopsis

An explosion of new voices from across the British Isles reinvents the arts, creating a richer, more diverse culture.

Further Information

More clips from Art That Made Us

01: Lights in the Darkness | Art That Made Us

01: Lights in the Darkness | Art That Made Us

BBC Two | 2022 | 58'56''

In this alternative history of the British Isles, working artists explore an era once known as the 'dark' ages, finding mysteri...

02: Revolution of the Dead | Art That Made Us

02: Revolution of the Dead | Art That Made Us

BBC Two | 2022 | 59'19''

From the chaos of the Black Death comes creative renewal - survivors finding their voice through satire and a revived literatur...

03: Queens, Feuds and Faith | Art That Made Us

03: Queens, Feuds and Faith | Art That Made Us

BBC Two | 2022 | 59'07''

During the reign of Elizabeth I, Protestants and Catholics use art, language and new technology to wage a battle for power in ...

04: To Kill a King | Art That Made Us

04: To Kill a King | Art That Made Us

BBC Two | 2022 | 59'16''

A splintering of politics and religion in the British Isles under the Stuart kings leads to more questioning art, new science and archi...

05: Consumers and Conscience | Art That Made Us

05: Consumers and Conscience | Art That Made Us

BBC Two | 2022 | 59'18''

In the 18th century, trade and conquest funds an explosion of creativity, and art stirs a growing social conscience.

06: Rise of the Cities | Art That Made Us

06: Rise of the Cities | Art That Made Us

BBC Two | 2022 | 58'55''

With the industrial revolution transforming the British Isles, the cities and country are divided, and artists respond to the uphea...

07: Wars and Peace | Art That Made Us

07: Wars and Peace | Art That Made Us

BBC Two | 2022 | 59'20''

The world wars force artists to grapple with destruction and savagery, challenging conventions and the old imperial order, while those ...

More resources about Art History and Movements

Benin Bronzes | Civilisations

Benin Bronzes | Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 5'35''

David Olusoga visits the Benin Bronzes at the British Museum.

S01E04: West Africa | Lost Kingdoms of Africa

S01E04: West Africa | Lost Kingdoms of Africa

BBC Four | 2010 | 48'51''

Gus Casely-Hayford travels to Nigeria and Mali to explore the story behind a series of magnificent 16th-century bronzes made in...

03: New York 1951 | Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds: A Tale of Three Cities

03: New York 1951 | Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds: A Tale of Three Cities

BBC Four | 2014 | 59'42''

James Fox tells the story of New York in 1951, when the likes of Jackson Pollock, Jack Kerouac, Ma...

S01E01: Monet | Fake or Fortune

S01E01: Monet | Fake or Fortune

BBC One | 2011 | 58'25''

Journalist Fiona Bruce teams up with art expert Philip Mould to investigate mysteries behind paintings, starting with what they believe is an...

01: Gang of Four | The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution

01: Gang of Four | The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution

BBC HD | 2011 | 59'53''

Waldemar Januszczak explores the revolutionary achievements of the Impressionists. He delves into the back sto...

02: Andreas Vesalius | The Beauty of Anatomy

02: Andreas Vesalius | The Beauty of Anatomy

BBC Four | 2014 | 29'10''

Adam Rutherford tells the story of 16th-century anatomist Andreas Vesalius, who produced the first complete account of the human...

02: Paris 1928 | Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds: A Tale of Three Cities

02: Paris 1928 | Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds: A Tale of Three Cities

BBC Four | 2014 | 59'06''

Dr James Fox tells the story of Paris in 1928, where talents like Magritte, Dali, Bunuel, Hemingway, ...

03: Smashing the Mould | The Art of Russia

03: Smashing the Mould | The Art of Russia

BBC Four | 2009 | 58'35''

Andrew Graham-Dixon tells the story of Russian art. He examines political revolution and how art was at the forefront of throwing ...

Elton John and AI | Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Elton John and AI | Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

BBC One | 2025 | 10'29''

Sir Elton John described the government as ''absolute losers'' and said he feels ''incredibly betrayed'' over plans to exemp...

S02E03: Monet - The French Revolutionary | Art on the BBC

S02E03: Monet - The French Revolutionary | Art on the BBC

BBC Four | 2022 | 58'54''

Art historian Katy Hessel explores the BBC archives to create a television history of the father of impressionism, ...

04: The Hunter Brothers | The Beauty of Anatomy

04: The Hunter Brothers | The Beauty of Anatomy

BBC Four | 2014 | 29'12''

How the Hunter brothers transformed medicine and art in 18th-century Britain, believing that anatomy could only be learnt by ...

Episode 1 | Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty

Episode 1 | Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty

BBC Two | 2024 | 59'17''

Michelangelo and Leonardo struggle to make their reputations in the brutal world of Renaissance Italy, as both must play a ...

The Industrial Revolution | Civilisations

The Industrial Revolution | Civilisations

BBC Two | 2018 | 3'04''

David Olusoga the social, cultural and scientific changes of the Industrial Revolution in Britain, as depicted in art.

01: Liberty, Diversity, Depravity | The Art of Gothic: Britain's Midnight Hour

01: Liberty, Diversity, Depravity | The Art of Gothic: Britain's Midnight Hour

BBC Four | 2014 | 58'56''

In 18th century England, out of the Age of Enlightenment came a Gothic obsession with monsters...

02: Roads to Revolution | The Art of Russia

02: Roads to Revolution | The Art of Russia

BBC Four | 2009 | 59'12''

Andrew Graham-Dixon follows the history of Russian art. Here, he looks at how art was affected by Russia's change from a feudal n...

02: The Great Outdoors | The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution

02: The Great Outdoors | The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution

BBC HD | 2011 | 59'54''

Waldemar Januszczak continues his investigation of the Impressionists by taking us outdoors to their mos...

03: Painting the People | The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution

03: Painting the People | The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution

BBC HD | 2011 | 58'59''

Waldemar Januszczak continues his investigation of the impressionists, focusing this time on the people...

Charles is Executed | Charles I's Treasure Reunited

Charles is Executed | Charles I's Treasure Reunited

BBC Two | 2018 | 3'27''

Brenda Emmanus discusses the execution of Charles I.

Comic book propaganda | Age of the Image

Comic book propaganda | Age of the Image

BBC Four | 2020 | 2'41''

James Fox explores the use of comic books to spread political messages during WW2 in Germany.

Contemporary African Recycled art | African Renaissance: When Art Meets Power

Contemporary African Recycled art | African Renaissance: When Art Meets Power

BBC Four | 2020 | 3'54''

Afua meets an artist who is using rubbish from the slums as material to create art.