“Ruskin said: ‘Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts, the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art. Not one of these books can be understood unless we read the two others, but of the three the only trustworthy one is the last.’”
So begins Kenneth Clark’s ‘Civilisation’, a twelve part BBC documentary series (now available on Youtube) that first aired in 1969. The intervening 50 years has not dimmed any of its brilliance, and the message contained within each episode resonates as powerfully today as it did then – perhaps in this time of cancel culture and revisionism – even more so…
What is its message?
Well, we are encouraged to look with wonder at the very best that western civilisation has produced – in art, architecture, music and literature. To honour and value it and to look at the past with open hearted sympathy.
With the erudite and quietly passionate Kenneth Clark as our guide, he gently takes us by the hand and leads us through the centuries. It’s a journey worth taking!
