How The Impressionists Escaped The Studio (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary)

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Waldemar Januszczak continues his investigation of the Impressionists by taking us outdoors to their most famous locations. Although Impressionist pictures often look sunny and relaxed, achieving this peaceful air was hard work. Trudging through fog, wind and rain, across treacherous coastal rocks and knee-deep snow, Waldemar shows how the famous spontaneity of the Impressionists is thoroughly misleading.

This episode visits the French riverside locations that Monet loved to paint, and where Renoir captured the bonhomie of modern life. Waldemar also introduces a number of technical and practical developments of the age which completely revolutionised Impressionist painting - the invention of portable easels; the use of hog's hair in paint brushes; as well as the introduction of the railway through France. And a scientific demonstration in a Swedish snowdrift explains just how right the Impressionists were to paint brightly coloured shadows in their winter scenes, despite being accused of 'hallucinating' at the time.

Finally, Januszczak explains Cezanne's part in the Impressionist story from his dark and challenging early work to his first rural landscapes in France, and then his departure from Paris and separation from the Impressionist gang.

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From The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution

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[b.w.highness]

After decades of watching, be assured... Waldemar Januszczak is without question the best presenter to ever grace the screen. He is, at the same time hughly informative, and delightfully fun... he is without equal in his craft. My life has been well and truly enriched by this entertaining gentleman. Thank you, Waldemar!!!

[emmetmcnamara]

The amount of traveling he had to do to film this series is astounding.

[jeff__w]

Just seeing Waldemar Januszczak show up at the _actual_ locations of these iconic paintings is an unparalleled joy in itself. His cheeky, insightful—and invariably fascinating—commentary is almost a bonus.

[SP_]

Waldemar reigns supreme in the world of art history.
And, he's also hilarious.
So glad I found him.
He makes art history understandable & fun.

[catherinejohnson]

Can't dance any more than a bear can talk, but you have the BEST art history lectures on the internet. Bravo! Location, research, enthusiasm - who could ask for more? I am a HUGE fan.

[RRW]

I could go on and on, and on and on, but i'll say simply ~ Waldemar, you are the best.

[steaminglobster]

Waldemar has a rare talent to use paintings as time tunnel to take us back to history. Thanks for the great work.

[dkcorderoyximenez]

Mr. Januszczak is a story teller with few if any equals...his ingenious use of tactile visual aides not only keeps our interest piqued, it pulls us through the presentation quickly and seamlessly... he is more than a professorial information booth...he is Brilliantly Fun Entertainment...!!!

[Curubita]

This series are one of the best i have ever seen in soooo many years. I can’t stop watching over and over again. Well done Waldemar & his crew!!!

[garryhastings]

I simply have to make comment on each episode. Amazing art historian, researcher and downright genius in his explanation of art, all art! His down-to-earth attitude is to be admired and praised. I studied art history at Uni for 3 years but never was it as brilliant as this.

[robertracicot]

I'm so happy that Waldemar is still alive after having walked in the shoes of the Impressionists so many dangerous paths.

[jenfnp]

I love his unique spin on Art and the history and stories behind every aspect of it. Incredible!

[margopollner]

Thank you Waldemar for another masterpiece about arts!
You deserve Nobel prize for your presentations.💙💙💙💙

[bradbailey]

The cinematography of this video is outstanding. The framing of many of the scenes creates works of art in themselves.

[brunorivademar]

Finally! Thank you for making art accesible and fun!

[jeanpelletier]

Waldemar is absolutely raving bonkers. ( In the best possible way).

[m.i.miller]

I can't get enough of these awesome videos... so refreshing for the study of art history.. love this guy!!!! So informative and entertaining. Wish I had these when I was studying art history at University in the late 90's. So many art historians and teachers were so stuffy.. This is such a breath of fresh air and love his sense of humour. The pig scene was a riot!

[bruceboome]

This excellent series has deepened my love of art- especially those presented by Waldemar. He, like the artists themselves, will go to any lengths to get the desired result. It's wonderful that thee videos are so readily available. Without culture we are little more than animals.

[depARTmentUhaul]

As a lifelong painter this guy is nailing it, it's a beautiful thing.

[kidchalleen]

Thank you for this! I swear I learn more from watching documentaries on artists than in actual tutorials!