The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution (2011)

Episode Overview

Title: The Great Outdoors Plot: Waldemar Januszczak delves deeper into the world of the Impressionists, exploring the iconic landscapes that inspired their art. While their paintings radiate a sense of tranquility, capturing this essence required immense effort. Battling through fog, storms, rocky shores, and deep snow, Waldemar reveals the true challenges behind the Impressionists' seemingly effortless spontaneity. This episode highlights the picturesque riversides beloved by Monet and the joyful scenes captured by Renoir. Waldemar discusses groundbreaking innovations of the era, like portable easels and hog's hair brushes, and how the arrival of the railway transformed their work. A scientific experiment in a snowy Swedish landscape illustrates the validity of the Impressionists' vibrant shadows in winter scenes, despite accusations of 'hallucination.' Januszczak also covers Cezanne's role in the movement, tracing his evolution from dark early works to his pastoral scenes in France, and his eventual divergence from the Impressionist circle.