The Unsettling Secrets Hidden In Holbein's Tudor Portraits (Waldemar Januszczak) | Perspective
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British art historian Waldemar Januszczak shows that Hans Holbein witnessed and recorded the most notorious era in British history. He painted most of the major characters of the 16th century Tudor Era, including the famous image of King Henry VIII. What unsettling secrets lay hidden in his famous paintings? What do his images reveal about Henry's relentless drive to control the English church?
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It's astonishing that such a fine and engaging art history class is free and available to us at any time. We live in an amazing time.
They highjack artwork and historical atrocities for entertainment that is, actually, propaganda and provide a merely superficial examination of things, coupled with spin representative of modern leftist currents which taint the analysis and reporting e.g. the drawings of a teenager admired for worldly knowledge, which are nothing more than common teenage angst and immaturity represented as doodles any fool would do in a boring high school class, in notebook margins when a fool is a fool as most teenagers are. They tell YOU what to think. Indeed, the entire Ministry of "Truth" is very busy these days and is busy with Newspeak at every turn. Only thing is, they are much better at it than Orwell imagined.
this is true
"It's astonishing that such a fine and engaging art history class is free and available to us at any time. We live in an amazing time"
I made the same comment on another video I enjoyed about dragonflies and someone commented that I had to pay for the electricity, the computer, the internet connection etc so I needed to grow up because only children believe that things are free. So while it is indeed an amazing time in which to live, we must share that time with douche bags. 😃
@@toshikotanaka3249 I think a lot of people may think it is free, but that is perhaps a philosophical point of view with which others may or may not agree. People think about things differently. When they come across as rude about it, it may be, that, we tend to read into the "tone" of the response in a negative light more often than a positive light. That happens in emails and texts all the time. I think most of us kind of read into things, I know I do. But of course, they could actually be nasty.
TH-cam usually has ads, so, you pay with that time while they try to sell you something. Also, Google tracks what you watch, so you pay with some loss of privacy.
So, while you may not lay out any money, something of worth is exchanged, ad revenue to google, your viewership information habits to target other ads which Google sells.
So, yes it is free, but in some sense you do pay and money is made. Same with TV and radio. But as you mentioned from the "other commenter" you do have to make some outlay on your part, so he's not wrong really, even if he is rude. But again you can look at it your way as well. It kind of depends on how you make the calculus.
Best wishes!
Wow, you're got a lot of time on your hands
My late brother was a fine artist with works in galleries, homes, and businesses from Taiwan to Paris. One of my fondest memories is of him and I having coffee on the patio while he explained art - the materials, techniques, and symbology. Because of him I’ve come to love artists like Holbein, Caravaggio, Hopper…This channel ‘teaches’ art history like my brother did, so thank you from my heart. 💖🌹
Holbein captured the soul of the subject he painted. Now THAT is an art. Truly magnificent.
Exactly! You can see their true selves on the canvas or paper (except in his paintings of Henry VIII - who looks very assembly line regal). Seeing Holbein's cartoon of Henry VIII was a revelation. You can see the spiteful vindictive monster sneering at the artist.
Henry ateth more than his belly could take...
@@amandaflemming6205 taketh
I would disagree. Im pretty sure Cromwell was a better man then Thomas Moore. Holbeing had his opinions, and does everyone else.
@@carihislop161 you are an idiot
This is a very privilege.I am sitting at home learning about History of Art.And without having to attend classes.
And no fear of an impending test.😁
Waldemar Januszczak is like the David Attenborough of art, I can't get enough of these documentaries.
His surrealistically emphatic speaking style seems to be patterned on that of the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" host. 😐
@@TheStockwell oh, you mean Robin Leech
@@lisamckennon3025 I'm pretty sure Bernie Sanders was traumatized when he lost a bet and was forced to binge-watch a season of the show.
Mr. Leach achieved mighty things: "Leach appeared in the Vice Channel series, 'Most Expensivest," with the rapper 2 Chainz. The episode, aired in late 2017 and was titled, "Viva Las Vegas." It included a scene with Leach and 2 Chainz eating blinis with caviar and syrup."
Sadly, Leach died broke and in total obscurity. Just kidding! 😉
Amen
Exactly so!
Normally, I've commented with "Brilliant", but this episode deserves and entirely other accolade, "Spectacular"! Thank you Waldemar J.
I know this video is a couple of years old now, but I wanted to say thank you for such an engaging and thoughtful presentation on an artist I really enjoy. Your video has helped me introduce my 6 year old son to Holbein and now he wants to visit the museum to see the pictures in person. I have promised him to make that happen. Thank you!!
@Jutta D I went with my husband last week to the Walker Art Gallery to see 'The Tudors' . It is promoted as a “once-in-a-generation” exhibition . We did thoroughly enjoy being able to see this full collection which included 68 works from the National Portrait Gallery Collection, alongside paintings from the Walker Art Gallery’s collection and a selection of additional loaned objects - some of which have rarely been on public display. If you are able to visit Liverpool then I would really recommend this exhibition.
thats wonderful :)
@@twoofsix3b3g I would love to visit Liverpool, but it is a long drive from TX. *wink* As my little guy gets older and as the world comes back on line, we will be able to travel more. I am so glad you got to see it. It sounds like a dream come true.
@@juttad2127 Wow Yes , the large state of Texas is a fair old distance to travel to Liverpool indeed !
I hope that one day you can make the journey to our shores ... but please don't reserve your visit to the capital, London . There is much more to see on this little island.
That’s brilliant.
This was absolutely brilliant. I just love the enthusiasm of the narrator. Holbein was so amazing but he must have been living on a knifes edge. What fearful times they were.
Yep he was lucky he dident end up in the curry as well.
I have always loved Holbein's art. He brings his sitters to life. His attention to detail is breathtaking and in my opinion was the greatest portrait painter of all time. This was a great documentary. Thanks for posting.
I'd rate Rembrandt van Rijn above Holbein, but I agree that he was spectacularly good.
Difficult to rate… Goya was a masterful portrait painter who captured the essence/ character of his subjects.
1LaOriental, yes he was. Especially the King of Spain and his family.
Well, I have to disagree with you there. Not about Holbein’s skill; he was skilled, but in my opinion not the greatest portrait painter of all time. I would award that title to John Singer Sargent, whose skill, especially his portraits of Edwardians, takes my breath away.
@@loditx7706 with all due respect, it is unfair to compare Holbein to Sargent. Completely different time periods. Painters are influenced by technics and trends of their time. Sargent, whom I greatly admire as a portrait painter, was no doubt influenced by Impressionism. That Holbein could create such modern portraits of his subjects in the 16th century is truly amazing. Holbein has more in common with the style of Ingres, 200 years later.
When you encounter a Holbein portrait face to face you are overwhelmed by its power and realism. That is the magic of great art. By comparison, what you often find in many museums is merely second rate.
We recently watched Wolf Hall and one of the scenes that stood out was of Holbein painting the famous Thomas Cromwell portrait.
This was a fantastic documentary - thank you
Amazing detail, fabrics folds, wrinkles with reflected light and shadow, talent..
The host’s passion is contagious. He is great!
I’m binge watching at the moment 👍
A bit cliche and pretentious though. I guess that's something you have to have as an art historian. Seems impossible not to, because most AHs I've ever met talk exactly like him.
I'm totally besotted with the dude
Seems I'm in a minority of one but he drives me nuts, with the exaggerated emphasis on EVERY. SINGLE. WORD, like we're five years old. Which is a shame because it looks like a really interesting programmme, if only I could get through it.
He is so good.
Hans Holbein was an extraordinary painter. Especially the portrait of Sir Thomas Moore was as detailed and realistic as a photo. Very impressive!
Pretty good trick, inventing photo-realism centuries before the camera ~
@Strangely Brown (!)
@Strangely Brown Yeah, I know! I mean, you're the King's chancellor, could you please shave before sitting for your portrait?
Rembrandt also had enormous talent. The tremendous care and patience he took in the painting of his subjects, especially the intricacies of their Elizabethan-style collars is unmatched. His paintings though dark and dreary were still magnificently detailed and awe inspiring.
Oh, it's fantastic. Those velvet sleeves are *amazing*, and then the tiny details like the little speckles of grey in the stubble! By contrast, to me the Cromwell portrait is a lot colder and less luminous, and I have to think that was in part down to Cromwell wanting to be painted in a particular way - the face he wanted others to see, giving away no secrets about his interior life. An Official Face for a Statesman, not a portrait of a personality. Though Holbein lets some of the personality show through, despite all that.
Poor Holbein, what a crazy time to live in. Your every move calculated to not get your head chopped off. He really did bring that era to life under an immense amount of stress.
I was an art history major & Holbein & Jan Van Eyck were always my favorites. And Jan Vermeer. The Flemish. Holbein’s sketches are nothing short of stupefyingly beautiful. Such a gift he was given!
To call it a gift is to completely disregard all the hard work, time, and practice an artists places in to honing their skills. They don't just wake up one day with such impressive abilities.
@@ingloriousbetch4302 what you don’t realize is no amount of hard work, time, & practice will enable you to be a gifted artist. It’s a gift that we have no say over. I know; I was given the gift. It just came out of me. I became a successful portrait artist because God gave me the gift of being one. I’ve known other people who have spent hours, days & years working very hard to be a gifted artist. They’ve failed because they did not have the gift. It’s something you are simply born with. Period. Regardless of what you say. I’ve done nothing to deserve it. It just IS.
@@ingloriousbetch4302your assessment is profoundly atheistic. You don’t deserve to gaze on true art.
The drawings he made as preparation for future portraits are as fresh as if he had made them this morning.
Artist to artist, painter to painter, Holbein ranks among the very greatest.
Hats off in salute to Herr Holbein.
The fact that he could paint that skull you only can see from the side makes him pretty awesomely talented.
...as was the person who made the curved mirror that he used.
@@paulmitchell5349 Mirrors back then weren't what we have today.
@Qwazier: Now, about the skull I can absolutely agree. I can’t imagine how he did that, or why???FFS!
@@Qwazier3 I have to totally agree on the skull. I cannot imagine how he did that. Or even had the concept??? And why?? I don’t believe all that convoluted crap the guide was spewing. Art historians have had 300 years to play around with hidden symbolism, which no contemporary viewers would have grasped. If he was making philosophical statements with his art it was much too subtle for his times.
@@Qwazier3 No, I don’t think most were glass with silvered backs. Lots of mirrors were polished metal.
That was a fantastic documentary.
I am presently reading David Hockney's theory that Holbein among others achieved his amazing accuracy of realism and his great speed by using the Camera Lucida.
There is something uncanny about the superb perspectives and foreshortenings of rounded objects like limbs and musical instruments and curved naturally flat objects like paper and clothes in Holbein's paintings that DH believes impossible for a mere human to achieve with just eyes and hands.
DH contends that Holbein used optical tools to aid his drafting and compositions. This is born out by there being more than one perspective in some of Holbein's paintings where he would have moved the Camera Lucida and unknowingly introduced another viewpoint for certain objects making them appear tipped in comparison to the surface supporting them.
Please don't attack me personally, it is not my opinion or discovery although I agree with it. Read DHs book to understand his theory fully. It can be found as a free PDF with a little searching if you don't want to pay for the hard copy.
I have bought a Camera Lucida, it was delivered today, and I shall do some experiments of my own with it. A fascinating subject.
I agree with this theory, and it doesn’t make me love his art any less.
His portraits are like photographs. What a treasure to see what these people really looked like.
They’re much better!
You kind of have to take it with a grain of salt because a royal/prominent portrait is also propaganda, as the presenter noted. Like, the famous portrait of Henry shows him as a strong and vibrant monarch, when in reality, his health was starting to fail at that time of his life. However, that doesn’t discount the extraordinary detail he was able to capture. His paintings do look like photos!
Imagine if a Holbein had been around in earlier periods of History ! In 1066, or the Wars of the Roses ! Such an incredible talent....
@@sarah_noodle true, yes. I suppose I’m thinking that even though his subjects are often made to look better than they were, it gives one a good impression of just people of the time…ie their clothing, hair styles and sometimes make up. Photographic quality.
@@angusmcmillan8981 We have no idea what they looked like; this is an artist's view containing his own agendas and bias.
I can vouch for the sentiment regarding the portrait of More at the Frick. When I was there, up close, for a moment it really seemed like he was about to turn around and look at me, it's so amazingly lifelike.
I swear...i saw him breathe...and give a little smirk.
Thank you Waldemar J, for this compelling explanation of Holbein’s symbolism in his masterpieces.
I couldn’t stop watching!
I do wish we had a Holbein portrait of Anne Boleyn.
I wish we could have seen the women w their hair... but still these paintings are remarkable, especially for their time in history.
@@alexso1842 ... ???
@@finallythere100 You should check out TH-cam videos of Royalty Now, which discusses just that.
Also shows modern representations of people like Anne Bolyn, Cleopatra and others based on existing artworks and what was written about them.
@@c.a.savage5689 - YES ! Seen it, and addresses what I'm sure many people have often wondered - what would they really look like!
Interesting. Do we really know that Holbein’s paintings were accurate?
The narrator is great.... he conveys not just knowledge but also enthusiasm. And I like the bits of Renaissance Tudor era sounding music.
It would have been nice to hear something other than "Greensleeves.."
Holbein is so greatly underrated, probably because he’s not one of the Italians, but I think he’s the greatest portraitist, ever. The way he can capture the essence of a person in a just a few lines in his sketches is just amazing and his paintings glow with life. His portraits are so realistic and compelling, I don’t think Leonardo can hold a candle to him.
Leonardo left only 20 paintings half unfinished :-)))))
I agree
Henry the 8 was complaining and yelling loudly at him because he portrayed "Anna von Kleve" , the fourth wife of Henry, much prettier than she really was. Holbein waited until the King 's wrath was calming down and explained that it is usual painting princesses this way!
I truly can't say that Holbein is 'underrated'. His paintings might be not a part of the pop culture like Mona Lisa is, but he is renowned as a great Renaissance master worldwide
Hohlbein is huge in Germany ! And as for Portraitists , the brought up a few good ones but check out the 4 british Reynolds Romney Ramsay and Gainsborough let Alone Elisabeth Vigee Lebrun or Angelika Kauffman . I'd take one of they're works over an Italian at anytime :-) ( with the exception of artemisia Gentileschi ( amazing renaissance portraitist )
I never saw the painter when i looked at the paintings of Henry etc. What an incredible man he was. What an incredible talent.
Thank you for bring Waldemar Januszak's documentary on Holbein's portraits to us...such a delight to have such an enthusiastic narrator to guide us to some of the hidden aspects that captured the personalities of each sitter.
ChristophersMum, agreed. He has interwoven the extraordinary Holbein's artistry and the events of all those lives and the times so masterfully. He has presented us with his own living art.
I think that he is one of the finest presenters on television, he has a uniquely entertaining and engaging style.
I love his sketches of the court. They look like people you would meet today.
The portrait of Thomas Moore is downright fantastic! Holbein has to be the greatest portrait painter ever!
Google 'greatest portrait painter'. You have him ahead of some big hitters there, Rubens, Rembrandt, Titian, Vermeer, Kahlo, da Vinci.
Safer to say, 'one of the greatest'.
@@Ogma3bandcamp yeah LOL... Rembrandt alone is a VERY hard one to beat
@@Ogma3bandcamp Velazquez, Picasso et al
Holbein put previous portrait painters in the shade.
Many of the later artists mentioned were more interested in expressing themselves than making portraits.
Waldemar wonders what Holbein could have done with greater opportunities. Or more time...
@@Ogma3bandcamp He was a well taught painter! No genius at all in capturing humanity, only politics!
Loved this! As a foreign national living in UK , I've learned so much in less than an hour and this was delivered in such an interesting and engaging way. Thank you. 🙂
What an extraordinary artist Hans Holbein was. I didn't even know of his existence before I watched this video. His paintings of Cromwell and Sir Thomas More were incredible, down to the very stubble on his face, and so very lifelike, that as the presenter said, 'you could feel their breath.' I would love to go and see his paintings and especially the long narrow painting of the crucified Christ! That was so deeply moving. It really made me think and I suddenly felt like I had been physically there when The Saviour Jesus Christ was being buried after he'd died on the cross. What an incredible gift, why isn't his name lauded alongside that of Leonardo Da Vinci. He was certainly just as skilled! It's such a shame that some of his works were destroyed!
Saw another documentary by Waldemar Januszczak on early Christian art which blew my mind. He is an outstanding teacher. I want to watch everything he's done.
If he was a teacher he would have told that holbein traced from the camera obscura.
He speaks very different in his early programs ie posh. Which is the real one?
@@phillipstroll7385 He only had an hour or less, dude. Go find fault elsewhere.
Oh yeah, the one where he explained how an entire belief system started with some junk from a souvenir stall? Just wait until you get to the Baroque or the Impressionists. ;-)
Me too!
Accidentally I found this documentary and because my interest for history I decided to watch it! Thank you for uploading this wonderful presentation of Holbein ́s Art. He was a great artist. His pictures seemed to be better than today's photos. I didn 't know much of his life, I only knew that he suddenly died of plague while he was painting a picture for the King.
The host is a marvellous story-teller and he reminds me of David Starkey who has the same style talking about history!
I needed a nap.
33:00
This documentary is nothing short of spectacular. To have art and history combined in such an engaging way is seldom found. I loved every minute. Thank you so much!
This guy knows what he's talking about, and knows how to share it in a way that makes it interesting to the one listening.
I would like to add that his interpretation concerning The Ambassadors as a vanitas painting is deep and insightful. He is very clever and able to arouse a passion for art.
Agree, agree, agree
Has anyone every read the book: "Humanism and the wreck of Western Civilization"? It is no more than 150 pages but brilliant, and The Ambassadors is analyzed quite well in it. I never looked at a painting again in the same way.
@@greggcal4583 And who wrote it, friend
I agree that his commentary here is good. But seeing this painting as a Vanitas painting has been common for a long time I think.
His interpretation of the portrait of Mr and Mrs Andrews its hilarious, he has a gift to see the humanity around the art.
holbein was a fantastic painter, but his drawings are stellar.
His fantasy novels are hit and miss though.
I agree. They have a quality of such deftness and intimacy.
Waldemar Januszcak, the Moderator of the Tudor portraits, does an excellent job of presenting the program. Finally an English producer who can speak the English language so Americans can understand the the words.👏👏
Holbein is the only artist that , I feel, gives us a truly accurate portraits. I think other painters went with capturing the looks that were fashionable at the time
Never looked at Rembrandt? Freud? come on..
The religious stuff is anything but accurate, a blonde haired, blue-eyed baby Jesus? Completely unrealistic Iron Age Judean.
His portraits also capture his veiled interpretation of their inner characters that he expressed in such subtle ways... If you study them greatly , you will start to feel the " vibe " and his own feelings for his subjects that are brilliantly hidden under the guise of propriety and duty for his service he had to uphold on a major degree. However his honesty shines with a tinge of insight..
Thanks for your prayers today the day
His are the only portraits that I feel are honest.
I so agree! You can see from Henry's face that he's pompous & an angry unpredictable beast like a wild boar. Cromwell looks cunning and suspicious.
33:00 That Cromwell portrait is the definition of shifty-eyed. Holbein might as well have written "Don't Trust This Guy" on the painting.
That story was utterly fascinating. As always, the script, the shooting, the editing and the opportunities to see these works in their museum settings on a real trip there with the host! Wow, just wow!
What a tragic loss when this genius died so young. He captivated me as a kid and does 50 years later.
A superb documentary. I thought I knew Holbein's work fairly well, and am familiar with Tudor history too, but found lots of fascinating insights here. The critique of 'The Ambassadors' is art criticism as its best.
This was so wonderful. Thank you! I found it fascinating how the triptych alterpiece painted by Hans the Elder shows the father with his hand on Hans the Younger's head and his other hand is pointing to Hans the Younger. His father must have realized very early on that his younger son had an extraordinary gift.
I wonder what happend to the other son?
All we've had regarding Anne of Cleves' looks is based on Henry VIII's own words and Holbein's portrait. I don't think that Holbein "mispainted" her; otherwise, Henry would have taken his wrath out on Holbein and would not have turned to him for subsequent work. I tend to agree with another theory, which is that what Henry actually objected was her personality.
The thing with Anne of Cleeves that makes the whole story odder, is how it ends. After the divorce she is given a good settlement in England, attends court, and seemingly gets along well with Henry, being called "the King's Beloved Sister". She outlived all the other wives, and was much respected at court until her death.
So what exactly went wrong between them in their marriage is a bit of a mystery, but something does indicate it would seem to be related to one or both not relishing the idea of having sex, but otherwise having no problems with each other if not married. The other thing is I believe there is another portrait Anne that rather has same likeness as Holbein portrait (taking the different styles of portraiture into account), that would mean it wasn't the portrait that was the issue. But what Cromwell said of her and for having brought about the marriage at all.
I reckon pig-headed Henry resented Anne from the moment she didn’t recognise and fawn over him when they met. She worked him out pretty quickly and handled the egotistical pratt incredibly, and Mary and Elizabeth adored her.
There are several accounts of Henry's evident distaste. One was that her breasts were not the pert breasts of a young woman, but large and pendulous, there was even suggestion she was not a 'maid'. (She also apparently stank) Henry first came into her presence in disguise as a romantic gesture, which backfired horribly when she recoiled in horror at the approaches of this unattractive stranger. She recovered herself too late when he revealed himself to be the King, her revulsion shook him.
@@Jubilee33382 Was it not the case that Henry was already suffering from the incurable leg ulcer he got from a jousting accident? Probably if anyone stank, it was he. He was certainly no Adonis by that stage.
@@bernarddavis1050 I imagine that as bathing was actually considered bad for one's health and they just dabbed themselves with a cloth, everyone was reeking.
He seemed to capture their emotion and show us who he thought they were. In a time when they couldn't speak freely, he spoke through his art using symbolism (genius).
@DS40764: As I said in a prior comment, all that symbolism craptrap doled out by the presenter was exactly that. Historians have had over 300 years to study and publish their pet theories to the world and others mounted that dead horse and rode it a few more miles. If he was including symbolic messages, they were much too subtle for his contemporaries, not to say obscure. Anybody can say what they want now; he never could. We know because he was never executed.
The bit about the broken string, the book of hymns, and the skull was fascinating. Thank you!
9:06 on the one hand, the young man distracted by a fashionable beauty and stepping into a basket of a poor market peddler's eggs is directly comical on the face of it, like a stunt from the Three Stooges. But it's so worth knowing that in the rich visual symbolism of the Northern Renaissance, accidentally broken eggs often represent unchaste behavior and especially an inappropriate loss of virginity.
Ok, but whose among this trio?
wow.. very cool bit of insight .. thankyou
This was immensely enjoyable and I got quite emotional with your closing statement on his artwork.
There is nothing more enjoyable than the unspoken conversations that creators such artists, composers and authors initiate through their work that travel through time and centuries to talk specifically to us and to teach us about their stories , beliefs , experiences and emotions.
Thank you so much for this video, I am quite moved ❤❤❤
This documentary is an absolute Masterpiece!
A Genious. He was lucky that he survived at court :) Especially when Anna von Kleve (born in Düsseldorf) was not the One, the King hoped for. But Holbein painted her so beautiful. Tough times.
Anne of Cleves was an unbelievably intelligent woman....she pretty much orchestrated the "annulment" and afterwards she and Henry were the best of friends, honestly delighting in each others company. Henry gifted her property and wealth, and often referred to her as his "beloved sister". Anne realized that to be wealthy and alive was so much better that "queen for a day" and DEAD! lol.
@@mcescher1957 I agree. I think she used her wits and reckoned correctly that she should get out of the marriage as quickly as possible.
I love the way Waldemar always sets you up. “ If you thought you knew... well I’m here to tell you that you were wrong!”
Yeah, that's his whole schtick. "I'm right and you're wrong!"
Only recently got into this kind of subject and I am truly amazed at how a historian can bring, in such vivid detail, life, politics and imagery from 500 years ago. I recently watched Simon Schama's history of britain and I actually cried at the episode with Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. This documentary was truly exceptional. Bravo!
@hr3yh4wk1: 300 years ago, still have a ways to even be 400.
Fascinating. I’ve always loved art history and the Tudor period. Great in-depth look into Holbein.
This gentleman is brilliant. Clear, fun and educational for all ages.
I'm so in love with Holbein. That first portrait of Henry VIII shows the street thug he really was. Later, he became THE KING. Because of Holbein. Thank you for this!
street thug???
Henry VIII had wives beheaded. Yes. Street thug.
I’ve never seen any of these pieces of art in person. I had no idea - especially the portrait of Thomas Moore - was so astoundingly detailed! It blows my mind, it’s gorgeous!
Januszczak keeps you engaged with his wonderful presentation. This was brilliant and fascinating.
WOW! I never thought, Henry 8th looked like that i "real life". Holbein was a snapshot photogapher! His portraits are unbelievable! His precision is impeccable
You’ve never seen these paintings before?...you should get out more.
@@banjopete Probably not the best time in world history to "get out more".
@@banjopete the list of things which to others are essentials of culture, yet which you have never seen or heard of yourself, could not be read aloud in full in your lifetime, so why don’t you reflect on what a complete ass you’ve been
He was handsome and athletic when young, tall... he was a typical Plantagenet in physicality as well as a Tudor, his mom Elizabeth of york and paternal grandmother Margaret Beaufort, were both Plantagenet.
Both Margaret and maternal grandmother Elizabeth Woodville were beauties in their day as well as exceptionally crafty, resourceful, and tenacious. Henry 8th, even if many dont like him, had a strong background.
It is not surprising that Henry s daughter was Elizabeth I the Great
Thank you for bringing Holbein to life in a creatively new--and most "spiffing"--way!
These original BBC documentaries are for me wonderful. I know I am spoilt as I watch them first on the Beeb but so brilliant to see them on this site. Well done I can now watch them as often as I like. Many thanks to all involved.
I still think of Waldemar as "Waldemar Thing" as Private Eye used to call him. His talks on Art - especially Art history are always fascinating and well-informed. His explanation of the Arnolfini painting re-opened my eyes to a work I thought I already knew well.
Highest quality talk revealing unforgettable sights and details on Holbein: his art and influence on how we see Henry VIII, Cromwell, Moore etc
Holbein's portrait of Thomas More looks like a photograph. The most realistic of all his portraits.
Realistic? How do you know what Thomas More looked like?
I’ve seen More’s portrait at the Frick and words are not adequate. It’s heart stoppingly magnificent, like you are actually looking through a window to 400+ years ago, and More is about to turn to you and start talking.
I can watch this guy over and over. And I do.
The narrator is a real artist. He painted a picture of Holbein using words, his body movement, setting that captivated me both visually and mentally!
"Welcome to the Hans Holbein dating agency"
Too funny!
These are the kinds of paintings I just wanna spend a day with and look at every inch, truly spectacular!
Thank you for such a thorough and entertaining lesson on Holbein. He has long been one of my Top 10 favorite artists of all time. His drawings and paintings are just exquisite. And now I also know he led an equally fascinating life, albeit a far too short life. I am grateful for this history of this talented painter.
I love this guy! He makes it feel as if we are there, plotting and designing. And Anne of Cleeves was definitely beautiful.
You mean Christina of Denmark?
@@AlisonWonderland999 Anne and Christina were different people. You will notice that Holbein's portraits show each differently: while Anne was painted in a lovely/flashy dress Christine was clad only in black and the focus was on her face. Henry fell for the fancy portrait.
@@AlisonWonderland999 ppppppp
He is terrible.A good subject ruined.
@@donaldgoodinson7550 explain
Did you mention that Erasmus wrote In Praise of Folly while he was a guest of Thomas Moore's in London? After a spirited spoken exchange on the topic, Moore urged Erasmus to put it all in writing. No wonder Holbein felt really close to Moore.
How strange that as history goes on "we're encouraged to think better" of some real monsters. However this is an extraordinarily amazing documentary. Tryly a masterpiece.
To think that Holbein perfected his craft and was sought after by the King of England all before the age of 45 is astonishing.
Excellent documentary and I certainly have an even greater appreciation of Holbein's artistic skills.. I lived In Reigate for many years and my children attended the Reigate Priory School which has an amazing Holbein Fireplace. The children who have attended that school and those who have worked there over many years are certainly blessed to experience such a beautiful piece of art on a daily basis.
I live in Reigate, didn't know that..
Think Pete Doherty went to Priory! 😁
I wish I could give this more than one thumbs up. Waldy is so wonderful.
I’ve seen the Thomas More portrait dozens of times at the Frick, including now in the Breuer building, plus other royal portraits from the two years I lived in London. But this really helps put them all in historical context and that of his own career. Thanks for posting these here where a global audience can learn from them.
I took a minor in art history, but this is on another level of lecturing. Enjoyed it tremendously. I'm a huge fan of Waldemar now.
I dislike art historians. Them that can, do. Them that can’t, teach. And often history is romanticized, but mostly, editorialized.
Our entire household loves Waldemar Januszczak. He is a wonderful, wonderful teacher. We've seen every one of his "Perspective" pieces and we wish there were many more! Thank you.
Your work and the series are superb. I have studied Art History for almost 40 years, but I must say that I am learning new things from you. I knew about the Ambassadors, but not to that extent you analyzed it. You forgot to mention the beautiful rug. I think it is Persian. The design is still in use there. What a marvelous and an engaging way you present your videos. I usually get tired of watching similar documentaries since I have studied the subjects before, but you present new things and new insight into them. Thanks so much.
כדאי לסמוך עליו: הוא לא שכח להזכיר את השטיח.
בסירטון של 58 דקות, אי אפשר להכניס הכל.
עורכים, ומכניסים את העיקר והחשוב. ואת זה הוא עושה מצויין!
I could watch these episodes all day!!! WONDERFUL!!!!!! Thank you Waldemar!
He is true art lover and it shows
He is interesting ,funny and approachable
Those portraits by Holbein are amazing and beautiful.
What a joy it is to accompany Januszczak on his eccentric, illuminating and wonderfully entertaining journeys through the history of art. One learns so much, without having to endure dull, dry lectures:
He has such an original imagination and vivid, lively means of expression, based on profound scholarship. Our attention is held, spellbound, throughout. Bravo! Encore!
Holbein sketches were on exhibit at the NYC JP Morgan Library back in 1983. His astonishingly lifelike drawings took my breath away. Unfortunately, there were no paintings included in the collection. Those came in a more recent exhibit last year 2022.
Thank you for this master class video. I don’t believe I’ve seen anyone else equal his great talent. Tudor England of Henry VIII was a harsh time, but Holbein left us a remarkable visual record.
Hans Holbein the Younger, one of the greatest painters in a fascinating lecture that reveals a lot more than just showing his best pictures. Thorougly enjoyed it thanks to Waldemar Januszczak's presentation. 🙏👋
This man is a genius for enlivening art and past.
I am intrigued by the subtle ideas that are in this art.
Superlative presentation of Holbein's artistic masterpieces.
Januszczak's art documentaries are briliant. He weaves the history, personal stories and the technical art information into stories that are educational, humorous and illuminating.
Outstanding series. Outstanding presenter. I could sit and listen - and watch - him for hours. Love his humor - excusa - humour.
Expert storyteller
Yep...Best there is.
I couldn't agree more. He is fantastic.
I am blown away by this. What an excellent view of Holbein.
Holbein was an amazing artist, almost like ancient photography
I loved your insistance on Holbein's judgements, of character and merit. They coincide with my own prejudices in these matters.
Waldemar is more than a teacher, he is a fantastic entertainer, and sometimes he fudges brilliantly. That is what art is meant to do.
How are they allowing this guy to tap his finger on a Holbein sketchbook INSIDE OF AN ANTIQUE PRINTED VBOOK?!
Maybe it's a reproduction.
No fudging! Ha!
This amazing art historian makes it totally "real" and leaves out much of the pomposity of the art world per-se. I know, I studied art history for three years at Uni and it definitely wasn't taught this way. Great stuff and for everyone to enjoy and understand.
Beautiful video; thank you! I was fortunate enough to see a wonderful Holbein exhibition at the Tate, about 20 years ago, that had some superb portraits. It was a collection of works not often on public view, and really showed the width and depth of his genius.
Absolutely BRILLIANT! An art lesson delivered with so much wit is not only informative but also highly entertaining!