There are a lot of documentaries about art, and some are very good and others are very average. This page details the best art documentaries ever made.
Tim’s Vermeer (2014)
This documentary follows wealthy video software and hardware inventor Tim Jenison through his efforts to re-create a Vermeer painting. Jenison is obsessed with the extraordinary detail in all of Johannes Vermeer’s paintings, and how this detail is unique to him and is impossibly good for a time without photography. Tim Jenison believes that he has determined how Vermeer was able to accomplish this and has embarked upon copying this complex technique, an optical device, and re-creating Vermeer’s masterpiece, The Music Lesson (in Buckingham Palace) himself with the same level of quality.
The National Gallery (2014)
Frederick Wiseman’s National Gallery is not for the average art enthusiast. It’s for art gallery nerds. It explores the inner workings of The National Gallery in London, documenting the day-to-day activities that occur in the museum. Art talks, exhibition setup, moving artworks, and restoration. The documentary is three hours long you will come out of of it with a good understanding of the goings on at the National Gallery, however sadly not with a better understanding of the paintings inside.
Blurred Lines: Inside the Art World (2017)
Directed by Barry Avrich, this documentary covers the increasing commercialization of the art world and the enormous sale records – in particular for contemporary art – over the last decade. Each section covers a different area of the business – artist, curator, auction house, collector, etc. The film has extensive interviews from prominent figures in the art world including artists Marina Abramovic, Julian Schnabel, and Rashid Johnson, journalist Vicky Ward, and renowned art collector Michael Ovitz as well as auction house executive Amy Cappellazzo
Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict (2015)
Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict is a 2015 documentary film that explores the life and legacy of Peggy Guggenheim, one of the most influential art collectors of the 20th century. The film offers a fascinating look at Peggy’s life, from her bohemian upbringing in New York to her travels through Europe and her establishment of the modern art museum, the Guggenheim Foundation, in Venice.
The film is based on extensive interviews with Peggy herself, as well as with friends, family, and experts in the art world. Through these interviews, the film provides a comprehensive overview of Peggy’s life and her role in the art world. The film is particularly strong in its portrayal of Peggy’s personal life, including her relationships with artists such as Max Ernst and Samuel Beckett, and her role as a patron and champion of modern art.
One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its presentation of Peggy’s art collection, which includes works by some of the most famous artists of the 20th century, including Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, and Marc Chagall. The film provides a unique insight into Peggy’s personal connection to the art she collected, and how her taste and eye for art helped to shape the course of modern art.
Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present (2012)
Marina Abramović: The Artist is Present is a 2012 documentary film that explores the life and work of Serbian performance artist, Marina Abramović. The film focuses on Marina’s 2010 retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, where she performed the piece “The Artist is Present,” a three-month-long performance in which she sat motionless in a chair, facing visitors who were invited to sit across from her in silence.
The film provides a unique insight into Marina’s work and her approach to performance art. It includes interviews with Marina, as well as with friends, family, and fellow artists, and provides a comprehensive overview of her life and her approach to her art. The film also includes footage of some of Marina’s most famous and controversial performances, including “Rhythm 0” and “The Onion,” which highlight her unique and often confrontational approach to performance art.
One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its presentation of Marina’s 2010 retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The film provides a glimpse into the profound impact of “The Artist is Present” on its participants, many of whom reported profound and emotional experiences during their time with Marina. The film also provides an insight into the intense preparation and focus that went into Marina’s performance, as well as the impact that it had on her as an artist.
The Mystery of Picasso (1956)
The Mystery of Picasso is a 1956 French documentary film that explores the artistic process of Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous and influential artists of the 20th century. The film was directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot and features Picasso himself as the main subject.
The film is unique in that it offers a behind-the-scenes look at Picasso’s artistic process, as he creates 15 new paintings over the course of the film. The film provides a fascinating insight into Picasso’s approach to art and his creative process, and it is particularly interesting to see how he transforms his initial sketches into fully realized paintings.
One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its presentation of Picasso’s paintings. The film uses a combination of close-up shots and time-lapse photography to show the evolution of the paintings and to highlight the intricacies of Picasso’s technique. The film also includes commentary by Picasso himself, in which he explains his approach to art and his thoughts on the creative process.
Marcel Duchamp: The Art of the Possible (2020)
Marcel Duchamp: The Art of the Possible is a 2020 documentary film that explores the life and work of Marcel Duchamp, one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century. The film is a comprehensive overview of Duchamp’s life and his approach to art, and it includes interviews with artists, curators, and experts in the art world.
One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its presentation of Duchamp’s artwork, including his famous “Ready-mades,” which challenged traditional notions of what art could be. The film provides a fascinating insight into Duchamp’s approach to art and his thought process, and it highlights his role in the development of conceptual art.
The film also explores Duchamp’s life and his relationship with the art world. It covers his time in New York, Paris, and Brussels, and it provides a comprehensive overview of his life and his impact on the art world. The film is particularly strong in its presentation of Duchamp’s approach to art and his thoughts on the creative process, and it provides a unique insight into one of the most important figures in the art world.
Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art (2020)
Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art is a documentary film that explores the world of fake art and the impact that it has on the art market. The film covers the story of a major art forgery ring that was uncovered in the 1990s, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the motivations behind art forgery and the impact that it has on the art world.
The film is well-researched and well-structured, and it provides a unique insight into the world of art forgery. It includes interviews with experts in the field, including art historians, curators, and collectors, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the impact that fake art has on the art market. The film also covers the motivations behind art forgery, including the desire for fame and fortune, and it provides a fascinating insight into the psychology of the people who create and sell fake art.
One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its presentation of the impact that fake art has on the art world. The film highlights the importance of authenticity in the art market, and it provides a sobering reminder of the consequences of fake art. The film also provides a unique insight into the investigative process, and it covers the steps that are taken to uncover and prosecute art forgers.
This Is A Robbery (2021)
This Is A Robbery is a Netflix documentary series that explores the 1990 theft of 13 works of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. The theft remains one of the largest and most notorious art heists in history, with a total value of the stolen works estimated at over $500 million.
The series is well-researched and well-structured, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the theft and its aftermath. It includes interviews with experts in the field, including art historians, curators, and law enforcement officials, and it provides a fascinating insight into the investigation and the efforts to recover the stolen works. The series also covers the background and history of the Gardner Museum, and it provides a unique insight into the world of high-end art collecting and theft.
One of the most impressive aspects of the series is its presentation of the stolen works of art, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Manet. The series provides a fascinating insight into the history and significance of the stolen works, and it highlights the impact that the theft has had on the art world. The series also covers the ongoing investigation into the theft, and it provides a unique insight into the challenges faced by law enforcement in their efforts to recover the stolen works.
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (2010)
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child is a documentary film that explores the life and work of the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The film provides a comprehensive overview of Basquiat’s life and career, and it includes interviews with friends, family, and colleagues of the artist, as well as experts in the field of art.
The film provides a unique insight into the world of Jean-Michel Basquiat and his place in the art world. It covers the background and upbringing of the artist, as well as his rise to fame and his impact on the art world. The film also provides a fascinating insight into Basquiat’s creative process, and it covers the themes and styles that he explored in his work.
One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its presentation of Basquiat’s art, and it provides a comprehensive overview of his major works and the impact that they have had on the art world. The film also covers the legacy of Basquiat and his place in the canon of modern art, and it provides a unique insight into the life and work of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat (2017)
Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat is a documentary film that explores the formative years of the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The film provides a unique insight into the world of Basquiat during his late teenage years, and it covers the experiences and influences that shaped his life and art.
The film includes interviews with friends, family, and colleagues of the artist, as well as experts in the field of art, and it provides a comprehensive overview of his background and upbringing of Basquiat. It covers the time that he spent in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and it provides a fascinating insight into the artistic and cultural scene of the time.
One of the most impressive aspects of the film is its presentation of Basquiat’s early work, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the themes and styles that he explored in his art during this period. The film also covers the impact that Basquiat’s early work had on the art world, and it provides a unique insight into the evolution of the artist’s style and themes over time.
Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010)
Exit Through the Gift Shop is a documentary film directed by street artist Banksy. The film follows the journey of Thierry Guetta, a French amateur filmmaker who becomes obsessed with documenting the underground world of street art. Guetta’s relentless pursuit of capturing street artists in action eventually leads him to Banksy, who becomes the subject of his documentary.
The film provides a unique and entertaining insight into the world of street art and the motivations behind the artists who create it. It covers the rise of street art as a cultural phenomenon and the impact that it has had on the art world. The film also provides a humorous commentary on the commercialization of street art, and it explores the relationship between art and commerce.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its presentation of Thierry Guetta and his journey from an amateur filmmaker to a street artist. The film provides a humorous commentary on Guetta’s motivations and his attempts to become an artist himself, and it raises questions about the nature of art and the role of the artist in society.
Blurred Lines: Inside The Art World (2017)
Blurred Lines: Inside the Art World is a documentary film that explores the world of contemporary art and the commercialization of the art industry. The film provides a unique and thought-provoking insight into the workings of the art world, and it covers the major players, the financial dealings, and the power dynamics that drive the industry.
The film features interviews with some of the most influential people in the art world, including artists, collectors, dealers, and experts, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the major trends and movements in contemporary art. The film also covers the impact that the commercialization of the art world has had on the creation and distribution of art, and it raises important questions about the role of the artist in society.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its examination of the financial dealings and power dynamics in the art world. The film provides a unique insight into the economics of the art industry and the role that money plays in shaping the market, and it explores the impact that this has had on the creation and distribution of art.
David Hockney: A Bigger Picture (2009)
David Hockney: A Bigger Picture is a documentary film that explores the life and work of British artist David Hockney. The film provides an in-depth look at Hockney’s work, including his iconic paintings, drawings, and stage designs, and it covers his major influences, creative processes, and personal life.
The film is directed by Phil Grabsky and features extensive interviews with Hockney himself, as well as with his friends, family, and colleagues. The film provides a comprehensive overview of Hockney’s life and career, and it covers his formative years in England, his time in California, and his later return to England. The film also provides a unique insight into Hockney’s creative processes and his approach to art, and it covers his major works and exhibitions.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its presentation of Hockney’s unique and innovative approach to art. The film provides a fascinating insight into his innovative use of color and his innovative techniques, and it covers his experiments with photography and his use of new technology in his art.
Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film (2006)
Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film is a 2006 film that explores the life and work of American artist Andy Warhol. The film provides an in-depth look at Warhol’s life, including his early years, his rise to fame, and his impact on the art world.
The film is directed by Ric Burns and features extensive interviews with Warhol’s friends, family, and colleagues, as well as with experts in the art world. The film provides a comprehensive overview of Warhol’s life and work, and it covers his formative years in Pittsburgh, his time in New York City, and his rise to fame in the 1960s. The film also provides a unique insight into Warhol’s creative processes and his approach to art, and it covers his major works and exhibitions.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its presentation of Warhol’s impact on the art world. The film provides a fascinating insight into Warhol’s role as a cultural icon and his impact on the pop art movement, and it covers his legacy and influence on later generations of artists.