Netflix shows about art

Did you develop a spiralling Netflix addiction during lockdown? Justify your bad habits by following Dickinson’s recommended list of the greatest art documentaries and shows ever made.

1.

Kenneth Clark, Civilisation (1969)

There’s a reason this one has remained a benchmark for over half a century: Sir Kenneth Clark’s 13-part series (accompanied by a book of the same title) saw the brilliant former director of London’s National Gallery take his audience on a tour of Western art and architecture, from the Middle Ages to the present.

With such broad ambitions, there were inevitable omissions.

This was the first magnus opus attempted on TV and John Betjeman described it as ‘the best telly you’ve ever seen’.

“I believe order is better than chaos, creation better than destruction. I prefer gentleness to violence, forgiveness to vendetta.