I'm not sure if you receive the OVATION channel on TV... in case you're not familiar with it... it is the "art" network covering dance, music, architecture, art, etc. Every now-and-then they feature some compelling visual art programming... the usual bio-documentary of the usual blue chip artists from the pantheon of history. But all-things-being-equal, in order to up-the-ante info-wise... these documentaries delve deeper and deeper into more and more obscure aspects of a given artist's time period and/or life, etc.
The best of all of these documentaries are without exception all BBC productions. For example.. there is a series "The Art of Spain" which covers from the Arab/Moor occupation of Iberia through the present in three or four one-hour installations. These are mostly history studies and not necessarily art discussions.
There is a series called "Every Picture Tells a Story;" which covers obscure factoids and details on a given artist's life and work. Currently, there are only a few in circulation/released. Among them... the one covering Manet is very informative. To see this one... (if you don't receive Ovation) go to Manet
BUT... something that might be more down-your-alley would be "THE MONA LISA CURSE." This is a documentary featuring Robert Hughes' survey of how the art world/market (particualrly in the U.S.) changed between 1960 and the present. It has plenty of vintage footage and is very entertaining... but more importantly... it is significant for orientation. For example... the "change" in the art world/market has changed so drastically over our lifetime (literally since the late 60s) that whether one aligns with or against Hughes' aesthetics... his take on the change from art-as-unique-cultural-expression/object to art-as-pure-investment-commodity is accurate.
This is a one-hour documentary worth viewing.... you can see it online below in 12 installments...
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