The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution (2011)

Episode Overview

Waldemar Januszczak delves deeper into the world of the Impressionists, this time examining the individuals they portrayed, particularly the works of Degas, Caillebotte, and the often-overlooked female Impressionist artists. While renowned for their landscapes, the Impressionists were equally passionate about capturing the human form. Focusing on Edgar Degas, Waldemar highlights how he defied conventions to depict urban life authentically, from his dynamic sculptures of racing horses at the Longchamp racecourse to his striking three-dimensional depictions of ballet dancers at the Paris Opera. He also explores the enchanting softness of pastels in Degas' creations during a visit to Pastels de Roche. Additionally, Waldemar showcases Caillebotte's unique perspectives from the Place de L'Europe and the groundbreaking works of Morisot, Bracquemond, and Cassatt, three talented women who played a significant role in the Impressionist movement.