Waldemar Januszczak: Caravaggio's influence | Beyond Caravaggio | National Gallery

A rich and wonderful conversation between two people who know and love their subject. We are enriched by their presence.

Why was Waldemar Januszczcak NOT my art history teacher? I would have been a super student had he been my teacher. Everyone who loves art and art history - just view every single video of his. He completely expands and enriches the viewer's mind. WJ is UK's Art History phenom and national treasure.

I was raised in the States and lacked the resources to experience for myself the museums of Europe. I searched YouTube for virtual tour videos of The Louvre and Hermitage etc.. That was my only option to experience the art of Europe. But I was only observing the visual anesthetics of the paintings, sculpture etc. Until I stumbled upon The Renaissance Unchained. I was no longer just gawking, slack jawed in awe at history's artistic treasures. Thanks to Waldemar I now had the who, when, where and why story behind the art that I admired. His shared knowledge has eased my uncertainty and provided a comprehensive timeline of world history thru the art and artists of the past. I recently heard someone describe Waldemar as the David Attenborough of art history. I'd like to think both David and Waldemar would enjoy the comparison.

As a Caravaggio devotee, how I enjoyed this talk.

I am in awe of art historian Waldemar Januszczak’s easy (not for us) and intimate knowledge of the lives of so many artists as if they were his closest relatives. To know and remember hidden historical and personal facts about the artists and within paintings and sculpture with such passion and often wit and humor has me wide eyed and exclaiming “Really? I had no idea! How fascinating!” I’m loving learning so much and cannot get enough of his films. If I were British I’d say Mr. Januszczak is “wicked awesome”!

Januszczak: The Anti-Hoitie Toitie art critic. With him, it's ALWAYS about the art. If you think it's about him, it's only because he wants to LEAD YOU to the art and share it with you because he wants YOU to revel in it and adore it as much as he does.

Waldemar is a refreshing change in the art world would love to attend a discussion and as someone already commented presents excellent TV 👍

Always a pleasure listening to Waldemar

I am watching and rewatching every video that Waldemar has made. These are the most informative, brilliant entertaining videos I have seen, The man is pure magic. I have learnt so much. Thank you Waldemar from the bottom of my heart.

Ya this guy knows his stuff. Very articulate. Love how he knows the context and specific historical information that help make the art come alive and elevated.

I loved this conversation. After watching several of Waldemar's documentaries, it was nice to see him talk with a person on his level. I have my own Caravaggio story. My daughter was an au pair during her gap year (1996-97) for a family whose town was on the commuter rail to Paris. The mother took my daughter -- along with her children -- to the Louvre on my daughter's first day in France. At that time, Caravaggio's (I believe) La Buona Ventura was in the same room as the Mona Lisa. The little tour group went directly to the Caravaggio, as the woman loved it. Without telling me the story, we walked into the crowded room. I looked around, stopped and pointed. "That's a Caravaggio." My daughter was taking an art history class at the Sorbonne, told me that her professor loved that painting as much as her employer did. I could recognize it because the Detroit Institute of Art had acquired a Caravaggio and hung it in a place of pride.

Could listen to Waldemar for days!

Completely fascinating conversation between two incredibly intelligent people. I can't believe it took me five years to find it.

I love Waldemar, he's such a delight. And he's so good for the art world =)

That was wonderful! So starved of painting and stimulation during lockdown, this polite swordplay and Waldemar's interpretations of my favourite artist were like manna from heaven. Hope I make it to Valetta once vaccines are in play. Thank you Waldemar x

Caravaggio would approve the lighting used in this video!

I always learn something new when hearing Waldemar talk about art.

I went to see the Caravaggio exhibit at the MET in NYC in 1983 while in college. So incredible. I also love Prof. Januszczak 's TV presentations and am so grateful for the posts on YouTube so I can view them . Same goes for this post. Thank you so much.

First off I have to say I love Waldemar Januszczak's films. If he could paint as good as he presents we would have another famous painter on the planet. I love that with his education he pronounces words ending in "ing" as "ink."

Waldemar and the infinite joy of art