Understanding Art: Hidden Lives of Works of Art (2011)

Country: France

DVD Distributor: Athena

Masterworks under the microscope View masterpieces as you've never seen them before This exceptional series documents the Louvre's study days, in which works by five major artists–Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Watteau, and Poussin–were collected together, removed from their frames, and set on easels, replicating the feel of an artist's studio. Curators, historians, restorers, and scientists from around the world came to examine and discuss them in total freedom. Looking through their eyes and listening in on their conversations, we observe the restorations, repairs, and often capricious changes made over the centuries. From up close, we see the faint lines where the artist changed his mind, witness how time has ravaged the canvases, and debate the evidence that a master painted a particular work. Engaging animations explain and simplify complex language and concepts. By revealing what isn't meant to be seen, this fascinating series shows that art is more than meets the eye.


Episodes:

Ep1. Raphael
The Louvre possesses some of the most important works painted by Raphael at the end of his career, including the Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione. Experts scrutinize and debate that masterpiece, the inscrutable Self-Portrait with a Friend, and Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan, which has barely survived five centuries of botched restorations.

Ep2.Rembrandt
When is a Rembrandt not a Rembrandt? In the past, more than 800 paintings were attributed to the Dutch master; today that number has dropped to 300. This episode looks closely at several authenticated Rembrandts, including Bathsheba at Her Bath, Philosopher in Meditation, and Carcass of Beef (Slaughtered Ox).

Ep3.Poussin
Although the Louvre has the world's largest collection of Poussins, this episode was filmed at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lyon shortly after it acquired The Flight into Egypt (for €17 million). Experts focus on that painting and its colorful history, which includes a lengthy trial over its ownership.

Ep4.Watteau
Among the Louvre's 13 Watteaus are some of his most famous and beautiful works. Each one is an enigma. Watteau's paintings are not signed or dated, and their meanings are ambiguous; their titles were made up by engravers after his death. Experts attempt to pierce the mystery of Pierrot (Gilles), Pilgrimage to Cythera, and other great paintings.

Ep5.Leonardo
For all of his genius and immense productivity, Leonardo left only about 15 known paintings, seven of which are in the Louvre. Experts examine and discuss several in detail, including La Belle Ferronnière (Portrait of a Woman), St. John the Baptist, and the Mona Lisa, the most famous painting in the world.