Simon Schama's Power of Art

Simon Schama's Power of Art is an illuminating and thought-provoking BBC Select mini-series from 2006, which blends history, analysis, and vivid storytelling to bring great works of art to life. This television documentary takes viewers on an intimate journey through the world of art history with Professor Simon Schama, a British historian and art enthusiast with an infectious passion for art.

Throughout the series, Schama aims to bring the drama and excitement of art to viewers, bridging the gap between art history study and the general public. He emphasizes the transformative power of art, its intense emotional resonance and the gripping narratives it can tell about human history and society.

The series spans periods and places infrequently brought together, traversing from 17th century Rome to Nazi-occupied Poland, from 1880s France to 1950s New York City. It features eight masterpieces of Western art by celebrated artists - Caravaggio, Bernini, Rembrandt, David, Turner, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Rothko. Each artwork forms the centerpiece of an absorbing narrative, revealing the unique cultural and historical context in which it emerged.

Schama's approach is unique in both its scale and its method. Each episode of the series is devoted to a single masterpiece, treating it not as an isolated aesthetic object but rather as a focal point around which stories are spun, lives are explored, and history comes vividly to life. And while the selected pieces are undeniably the stars, the artists behind them also play significant roles as Schama delves into their diverse backgrounds, fascinating life stories, and motivations, alongside the tumultuous times they lived in.

The series is unapologetically personal, with Schama’s passion for art being the driving force behind each story. He infuses the narration with his distinctive voice, expressive and enthusiastic, injecting his own interpretation into each frame. The program leaps with life, rich with dramatic reconstructions, close readings of the artworks, on-location filming, and Schama’s engaging delivery.

What sets Simon Schama's Power of Art apart is its ability to dramatize the connection between the artworks and the artists, the mental and emotional struggles they wrestled with, and the societal realities they faced. The documentarian pulls no punches when exploring the often dark and tragic circumstances surrounding the creation of these pieces, immersing viewers in their powerful, resonating narratives. The series also examines the art and artists' influence on societal change, sometimes inciting controversy, while also showing how societal changes and political upheaval influenced the artists and their works.

In the Rome-centric inaugural episode 'Caravaggio,' Schama presents the dark underbelly of the Eternal City in the 17th Century, mapped out through Caravaggio's revolutionary painting style. Subsequent episodes, whether it’s 'Rembrandt' that sees the rise and fall of the Dutch artist at the heart of the Golden Age of Dutch art, or 'Turner' that uses the monumental 'The Fighting Temeraire' as a lens to explore the Industrial Revolution, offer similar deep, contextual explorations.

This show is far more than an art discussion; it's a journey through history, politics, religion, and human emotions. It showcases the power of art to provoke, to inspire, to express the inexpressible, to disturb and challenge, paralleling the very personal psychological journeys of the artists themselves.

Simon Schama's Power of Art is a genuinely immersive and emotionally engaging exploration of art's power, vibrancy, and resonance. Inspiring and at times deeply moving, this series is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand and appreciate the eternal magic, allure, and transcendent power of art. This series is itself a work of art, provoking thought, inciting emotion, and weaving compelling narratives that resonate with viewers long after the screen goes dark.