Understanding Art: Impressionism

Learned, ebullient Waldemar Januszczak—art critic of the U.K.'s Sunday Times—is the host of this 2011 BBC series that offers an expert, engaging introduction to the Impressionist movement initiated in French art. Presented in four hour-long episodes, the documentary begins with the so-called “Gang of Four”—Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Jean Frédéric Bazille, and Camille Pissarro—whose joint 1874 exhibition inaugurated a revolution that emphasized luminosity and soft focus in painting. The second episode, “The Great Outdoors,” considers Paul Cézanne's innovations in landscape perspective, as well as the Impressionists' forays to locales where they could indulge their fascination with water and other natural phenomena. “Painting to the People” moves on to Edgar Degas' pastels and Gustave Caillebotte's portrayals of urban laborers, and also introduces women Impressionists, such as Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt. “The Final Flourish” concludes with Georges Seurat's pointillism, Vincent van Gogh's obsession with Japanese prints, and Monet's subtle water-lily masterpieces. Januszczak proves to be a witty and knowledgeable guide, making a convincing case for the radicalism of Impressionist works and sharing a mass of historical detail while strolling through various locations that inspired the featured individuals. DVD extras include two excellent bonus documentaries—Manet: The Man Who Invented Modern Art and Vincent: The Full Story—as well as a text bio of Januszczak, and a 20-page viewer's guide. Beautifully shot and skillfully edited, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)