The first of two films on the arts of America 1650-1914
Presented by Vincent Scully
American art before Jackson Pollock is little known and rarely seen in Europe. Even American critics tend to stress its European roots and derivative styles.
VINCENT SCULLY , Professor of Fine Art at Yale University, believes otherwise. With passionate enthusiasm he explores the uniquely American character of the collections in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new American wing. He finds stimulating connections between painting, sculpture, architecture, furniture and silver in the galleries and period rooms. But he also travels far from the museum to relate art to history and landscape.
From the colonial settlers' first homes on the continent to the vast canvases inspired by the trek west, to the skyscrapers of New York, he shows how American art manifests a special flavour.
A co-production of WNET and the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART. New York. in association with the BBC. executive producer for WNET GEORGE PAGE. for MMA KARL KATZ and CAROLINE KENNEDY Produced and directed by LORNA PEGRAM