The Ornate Excess Of The Rococo (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary)

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Travel in the 18th century greatly impacted some of the finest art ever made. The world was getting smaller and took on new influences shown in the glorious Bavarian pilgrimage architecture, Canaletto's romantic Venice and the blossoming of exotic designs and tastes all over Europe.

Following the grandeur of Baroque, Rococo art is often dismissed as frivolous and unserious, but Waldemar Januszczak disagrees. In this three-part series he re-examines Rococo art and argues that the Rococo was actually the age in which the modern world was born. Picking three key territories of Rococo achievement - travel, pleasure and madness - Waldemar celebrates the finest cultural achievements of the period and examine the drives and underlying meanings that make them so prescient.

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From Rococo: Before Bedtime

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[kahlesjf]

Waldemar Januszczak's narration of this series is itself an art form.

[Cheryltwin]

I studied Art History in the 70's and my instructor despised the Rococo Movement. His own tastes were towards Impressionist and Pre-Modern art so I can understand why he hated Rococo art. To him, it was frivolous and unserious. But I loved it and still do. Yes, it was "pink and fluffy", that's why I liked it. I still adore Vivaldi as well, an artist we also studied because music is art, too after all. I didn't expect to love this documentary this much though. How I wish Waldamar had been there to guide me through the whole Art History experience. He definitely would have made it more interesting. I'll be watching all of his other docs as well.

[asiguere]

This is the content that is getting me through this freaking year

[mattja]

@ 27:30 : "Remember, this was still the pre-Darwinian world, David Attenborough hadn't even been born yet."
Priceless, Waldermar, priceless.

[scottydouglass]

I don't know art butt I know what I like. Now I am learning WHY I like it.

[jj]

This guy presents art in the most interesting and engaging and memorable way

[LadyCoyKoi]

Wow... they were truly whimsical back then, especially that house of mint green with gold. It is overwhelming, but yet you can't help but be in awe at how beautiful it is.

[christybethke]

His comparative analysis of the Renaissance, Baroque and then Rococo showing pearls and shells is the best definition I've seen, Bravo!

[francesremo]

I’m a photographer and trying to teach myself art history to understand art, and I think I found the best instructor and best way to learn. 💖

[StephiSensei]

If you put on a blindfold and listened to Waldmar's voice, I'm certain you'd agree with me, that he has the voice that should be commenting on the play to play action of a match of Manchester United. And yet, this lovely chap is teaching us all this with his humor and grace. Brilliant, just Brilliant!

[splodge]

"I'm a mug man by instinct"
Wonderful series full of glorious artistic quotes.
Waldermar at his best.

[ginacrusco]

"Some of the best voyaging was done in the mind." And that's what I'm doing watching these videos. No air travel for me during these germy times, I'm afraid.

[Fwootgummi]

I had an art history professor describe the Rococo period as unsubtle as the 90's and I can't get it out of my head whenever I encounter anything from this period. They were so damn extra and in your face

[EpsilonEridani_]

This man's the real deal. Thank you for this marvelous free series on YouTube!

[yeseniah]

All other art currents are just jealous of Rococo. It's fabulously rich, flamboyant, elegant and gorgeous. What's not to like?!

[nicoladecandia]

I love the way his back is to camera and he turns around to talk to you as if you're trying to tag along with his enthusiam.

[TressBraga]

The moment I clicked on the video I couldn't stop watching. This is probably one of the most interesting documentaries I've ever seen. Job well done!

[tmb]

The long months of lockdown brought me here. I have thoroughly enjoyed this art historian's videos about Rococo art. Never have I thought about or appreciated art history until now. Such a pleasure listening to this man talk about art.

[makyeebon]

I love your suggestion about Chinoiserie: It wasn't about China, it was about Europe, releasing its imagination, releasing it's sensuous European desires. Love it! This was one of my favorite in the series. Have always loved Rococo, and I like how you show it was much more than frivolity.

[bzxshormpts]

Love Waldermars presentations----creative with personality.One of the best. Art History is facinating