Uncovering the lives and works of four groundbreaking visual artists, American Masters presents an “Artists Flight” of new documentaries, premiering Fridays, August 31-September 14 on PBS (check local listings). Four films tell the stories of four artists: Eva Hesse, the 1960s art world icon who changed art history and women’s place in the picture; New York contemporary art maverick Elizabeth Murray; painter Andrew Wyeth, one of America’s most popular, but least understood, artists; and Jean-Michel Basquiat, the New York graffiti artist turned ’80s art world rock star who died 30 years ago (August 12, 1988). Each film will be available ...

THIRTEEN’s American Masters Presents Exclusive U.S. Broadcast Premiere of Itzhak Perlman Documentary October 14 on PBS Features new interviews with the world-renowned violinist, his family, friends and colleagues including Billy Joel, Alan Alda, pianist Martha Argerich and cellist Mischa Maisky From Schubert to Strauss, Bach to Brahms, Mozart to…Billy Joel, Itzhak Perlman’s violin playing transcends mere performance to evoke the celebrations and struggles of real life. Director Alison Chernick’s (The Jeff Koons Show, Matthew Barney: No Restraint) new documentary provides an intimate, cinéma vérité look at the remarkable life and career of this musician, widely considered the world’s greatest violinist. American Masters: Itzhak ...

Premieres nationwide Friday, August 31 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) As the wild ride of the 1960’s came to a close, Eva Hesse, a 34 year-old German-born American artist was cresting the wave of a swiftly rising career. One of the few women recognized as central to the New York art scene, she had over 20 group shows scheduled for 1970 in addition to being chosen for a cover article in ArtForum Magazine. Her work was finally receiving both the critical and commercial attention it deserved. When she died in May, 1970 from a brain tumor, the life ...

Premieres Friday, September 7 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) Available to stream September 8 on pbs.org/americanmasters and on PBS apps This intimate portrait of maverick painter and printmaker Elizabeth Murray explores the relationship between her family life and career, and reconsiders her place in contemporary art history. Excerpts from her journals voiced by Meryl Streep, verité footage and home videos show Murray’s internal struggles and incredible ambition. Exclusive interviews with art world luminaries describe the thriving New York art scene within which Murray challenged and captivated her viewers. In 2005, Murray was the fifth woman to be celebrated with a retrospective at ...

Premieres Friday, September 7 at 10 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) Available to stream September 8 on pbs.org/americanmasters and on PBS apps Wyeth tells the story of one of America’s most popular, but least understood, artists – Andrew Wyeth. Son of the famous illustrator N.C. Wyeth, Andrew had his first exhibition at age 20, and his painting “Christina’s World” was acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in 1948. While Wyeth’s exhibitions routinely broke attendance records, art world critics continually assaulted his work. Detailing the stunning drawings and powerful portraits he created in Chadds Ford, Pa., and on the coast of Cushing, Maine, Wyeth explores his ...

Premieres Friday, September 14 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) Available to stream September 15 on pbs.org/americanmasters and on PBS apps One of the most influential American artists of the 20th century, Jean-Michel Basquiat was a rock star of the early ’80s New York art scene. He lived fast, died young and created thousands of drawings and paintings. It took less than a decade for Basquiat, an accountant’s son from Brooklyn, to go from anonymous graffiti writer known as SAMO© to an epoch-defining art star. Today, Basquiat is in the top tier of the international art market along with Picasso, de ...

American Masters: Ted Williams (w.t.) will also look at the impact the iconic hitter has had on the current generation of stars in Major League Baseball. Superstars like Kris Bryant, Daniel Murphy and Josh Donaldson have credited Williams’ methods to hitting as guides in their own approach today.

The author of Little Women is an almost universally recognized name whose reputation as a morally upstanding New England spinster masked a literary double life.

Known as the world's most beautiful woman – Snow White and Cat Woman were both based on her iconic look – Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr's true legacy is that of a technological trailblazer. Discover how her inventions helped defeat the Nazis and pave the way for WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth.