Amazing Documentaries Every Art Lover Should Watch

by Emma Wilson

Binge-watching your favorite TV shows on streaming channels might be your hobby for leisure time. But as an art lover, it is pretty significant to watch the documentaries that have won the hearts of millions of people worldwide. Both the storyline and the way of narration in such documentaries can be fascinating.

So, here is a list that has been compiled by putting together the must-watch documentaries. Let’s see which ones are the most impressive masterpieces:

Le mystère Picasso

Pablo Picasso has crafted some masterpieces. And this sensational film document implements a specialized, transparent canvas designed uniquely. The camera beautifully traces the moves of the master and gives viewers a unique understanding of the painting technologies and methodologies of a renowned 20th-century artist. For the professionals who attempt to sell photographs or artwork in the museum, it’s time you get familiar with these painting techniques and implement them accordingly.

Ways of Seeing

There’s an intangible connection between technology and art. And much to the surprise of art lovers, this interconnection has already been witnessed for more than one century. An individual with an artistic mind should, thus, not miss out on the best guide that explains the upended modernity with aesthetic and social needs. Novelist, screenplay writer, and critic Mr. John Berger has created groundbreaking innovation in this 1972-based BBC series – Ways of Seeing.

Ursula von Rydingsvard: Into Her Own

The best way to spot a living artistic mind is by seeing them at work, innovating and crafting their masterpieces. Yes, you just guessed it right – Daniel Traub’sdocumentary offers viewers a sneak peek in the sculptor’s studio while she creates towering wood sculptures with the help of cuboidal shapes. Although the work seems effortless, this documentary reveals the von art of Rydingsvard as a “labor of love.”

The Cool School

Jeff Bridges’ brilliant narration lets this film examine the Los Angeles art’s rise developed as the counterculture that rebels against the art movement of Abstract Expressionists in NY. It accounts for the significant Ferus Gallery, Walter Hopps, and Irving Blum. A story is an art form that beautifully narrates a tale of a small group of artists who transformed the art of America.

Cockroach

Ai Weiwei’s intense dedication and honesty towards work couldn’t stay confined within the boundaries of a pandemic last year. His prolific sense of responsibility towards work made him produce three documentaries in 2020. While Vivos and Coronation have their likes and interests among fans, there’s something about Cockroach that makes it the fourth documentary on this list. It does not delve into the factors that preceded the ongoing uprising. What it does is present the galvanizing images of protests!

Made You Look

The infamous forgery scandal of Knoedler rocked the art universe around a decade ago. But with Barry Avrich’s brilliant craftsmanship, Made You Look the complex narration about fake artworks attributed to the postwar era’s legendary artists. It also brought down a country’s most well-respected and oldest galleries. However, its greatest triumph is because of Ann Freedman herself addressing the situation.

Marcel Duchamp The Art of The Possible

The art world of the 20th century had Marcel Duchamp as the towering figure besides Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. The Art of the Possible by Matthew Taylor endeavors boldly to narrate the life story, starting from his family background to groundbreaking experiments to ready-made creations, and so on. This shocked the world of art and changed the overall course of history in art forever. As Duchamp thinks that art lies in everything and anything, this documentary makes your mind keep churning about artistic expressions and their limitless possibilities.

Carlos Almaraz Playing With Fire

Directors require balancing the art of exploring a biography of an artist and offering an enlightening discussion about the contribution and practices of that professional to art history. While it’s easy to fall short on any of those demands, Richard J. Montoya and Elsa Flores Almaraz’s concept has been a wonderful addition to the world of art. This film beautifully explores the motivations of Almaraz, their involvement with the Chicano Movement, and his painting success.

Beyond the Visible

Hilmaof Klint’s art continues with fascinating explanations. The paintings, alongside mysterious imagery of animals and cosmological patterns, have made them famous in the art world of the 20th century. The work is rarely brought into life, as seen in the documentary about her by Halina Dyrschka. This offering focuses on how the artist was relegated to the margins of art history and then reappraised as the master.

The Art of the Steel

This particular Canadian documentary narrates the tale of struggles for Barnes Foundation’s control. It happens to be one of the best collections of impressionist and modern art in the world. Jonathan Sobol directed it, and the Toronto International Film Festival showed it in 2013.

Museum Town

Being a gigantic museum in North Adams, MASS MoCA is changing, with the founding director Thompson leaving after over three decades. So, this makes an ideal moment for the documentary about this venerated museum. And the artwork of Jennifer Trainer has been beautifully created.

Final Words

Due to the appealing story-telling and passion for changing the world, better documentaries have acquired immense prominence. If you think you want to excel in the art universe, it’s time to give these documentaries a try by watching! As you’ve learned the ten most impressive documentaries, which ones are you going to watch first?