Waldemar Looks At The Dark Ages In A New Light | Age Of Light: Full Series

The Dark Ages have been misunderstood. History has identified the period following the fall of the Roman Empire with a descent into barbarism - a terrible time when civilisation stopped. Waldemar Januszczak disagrees. In this four-part series he argues that the Dark Ages were a time of great artistic achievement, with new ideas and religions provoking new artistic adventures.

00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:12 The Clash Of Gods
00:59:19 What The Barbarians Did For Us
01:58:44 The Wonder Of Islam
02:57:52 Vikings: Men Of The North

Perspective is YouTube's home for the arts. Come here to get your fill of great music, theatre, art and much, much more!

Subscribe and click the bell icon to get more arts content every week:

[krotenschemel]

A month ago, I wouldn't give a ginger's ear about art history. Now I'm binging all of the Waldemar for the third time.
It's really the right combination of engagement. Honest, interesting and easily digestable.
But also let me point out how refreshing it is to see documentaries, which are properly cohesively narrated by one person speaking in full paragraphs - not supercuts of different people saying the same thing 10 times in a row. Or foreign experts who get talked over by the translater so you understand neither. No fancy 2-second attention span camera jerking or interruptions. It's just rock solid timeless good work. It's as if the creators understood their own art as well.

[dannyreynolds]

I'm in awe. The amount of research, editing, planning, travel, logistics, and problems gaining access and permissions to film, with no small amount of re-enactors must have been a Herculean effort. The end product is as masterful as the art works and architecture presented. What a wonderful learning journey that I hope others will enjoy as much as I have. Thank you.

[zooladar]

Waldemar you are the David Attenborough of art history, that is now clear. Your films are masterpieces that originate from ultimate dedication and commitment to the subject and story telling. Also a great sense of humor added to the beautifully composed scenes. Fantastic! Thank you for every second and frame

[garypuckettmuse]

This series is absolutely wonderful. I have to highlight how transforming and mesmerizing the film on Islam was. Not only will I watch this again and again but I am truly inspired to put my nose in books and film and pictures of the beauty of the Islamic world. It sort of decoded the Islamic aesthetics in a way that invited me in to that world. This series and WJ are just "everything*. Thank you to one and all on the team who make these they are really works of art with great scripts, excellent cinematic style creating that intimacy between WJ and the viewer and allowing the viewer to see what WJ is looking at as a companion to him on his travels, the editing is great and there is no effort spared for them to go long distances just to show us something amazing and unexpected which they could have done fine without but which just notch the whole program up. Such a genius idea that instead of the host talking to another party he just makes the viewer his travel and conversation companion.

I cannot thank everyone behind these programs enough. And Waldemar is so amazing at putting the art in the world and the world in the art.

[roba]

This guy is excellent. I'm so happy to have stumbled upon his work.
I like how he pops around the map, showing up in one place and another but he never looks any different. It makes the videos coalesce, no distractions, just the message.
I hope I'm not the only oddball who has appreciation for that sort of continuity.
Weldmars' love for what he does is apparent in the high quality of his work.
I'm picking up a few things that I seemed to have missed in art history classes back in college and at times, gaining more insight about things I do know.
So, thank you Weldmar!
Excellent series.

[rheinhardtgrafvonthiesenha]

This guy’s voice has a devious element to it. I love it

[Lakelady]

His films are so well done! Even down to the very subtle back ground music, fun camera angles . You can tell he loves his work and makes history so very interesting. Should be shown in schools.

[borge]

I can watch Waldemar's presentations on a loop all day! He's and incredible art historian and presenter. Wish for new content too.☮

[seangrexa]

Waldemar continues to be the Gold Standard in art history education! Who knew the Dark Ages could be this interesting and genuine fun!?

[jaimeriveras]

I am only half way through and I already decided this is one of the best, most interesting, informative, and enjoyable presentations I have watched in years. Many, many thanks, Waldemar.

[gradbuckie]

Waldemar is one of my favourite presenters- I’d love to see him do more!

[rosehart]

I simply love WJ, he made lockdown bearable and has increased my understanding of art hugely.

[ravenswing]

All I can think of with the Rotas square, is that 2000 years from now someone will dig up a stone plaque that says, "Live, Laugh, Love". They'll be completely perplexed and it will drive scholars to study it for deeper meaning.

[QueenBoadicea]

1:58:51 Many years ago, my favorite theatrical troupe staged a costume party in celebration of one of their plays. They wanted everyone to costume themselves in Renaissance dress. Now I had the typical idea of Renaissance clothing as displayed by the English and Italians: layered clothing in heavy cloths like brocade and velvet, slits in the sleeves, elaborate collars and fancy dress shoes. I'm not a great seamstress and that stuff sounded expensive. Buying, renting or sewing a costume like that was out of the question. So I did what I usually did back then: I hit the books. Turns out, the Renaissance covered a lot more time and many more countries than I'd originally thought. I finally settled on being costumed like a Renaissance Muslim maiden. The costume was elegant but simple and easily cobbled together out of items I already possessed in my closet. I also learned that the Moors were a highly intelligent and sophisticated people. They introduced the steel needle to Europeans, kept the arts and sciences alive in Europe during the Dark Ages, built magnificent edifices and brought jasmine to the south of France where it became the basis for many perfumes. The people practicing Islam were translating "The Iliad" into their native language back when European priests were shying away from anything that smacked of "paganism". However, I realize a lot of my knowledge of them was rather superficial compared to what is shown here. What great contributions they made to history!

[calartian]

You, sir, are the next Attenborough. One of the great narrators of all time. Your dialect is fascinating. So glad to have found your channel. Well done.

[scotteaton]

Waldemar is a stud. Plain and simple. Why this guy doesn't have his own prime time show on PBS is a crime. I would pay to watch it.

[lischa]

Wish I could go on an art tour with Waldmer through Europe

[amirakhouildi]

Thank you Waldemar
For the people who want to know more ; 1;23 The Vandals in Africa = Carthage = Tunisia / The coliseum of El Jem / Bardo Museum .

[moe]

It’s such a joy to listen to Waldemar. Educational, authentic and enthusiastic.

[karphin]

Waldemar is mesmerizing in his speech, it is all so fascinating! Glad I found these videos!