Piero della Francesca: A quiet revolutionary | National Gallery

Delve into the strange and intriguing composition of Piero della Francesca's 'Baptism of Christ' and learn more about this once forgotten, revolutionary painter with Caroline Campbell, Director of Collections and Research.
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The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10.00 am - 6.00 pm and on Fridays between 10.00 am - 9.00 pm.
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[@SimonGardiner-bj3pq]

One of the few commentators who EXPLAIN THE SPIRITUAL content of truely religious painting.

[@charliebrown5755]

We live in wonderous times in that a poor artist in the woods of Alabama can sit in on a lecture at the National gallery in London , Thank you so much.

[@brandonburrell8517]

God bless your honourable endeavours.

[@spizrx8636]

Miracles abound! Praise our Creator!

[@opera93]

Actually, a poor Artist in HELENA Valley, MT ALSO!

[@charliebrown5755]

@@davidguyette2586 And why David?

[@KimS_Pictureinpa]

Agreed

[@jhb1493]

It's a wonderful thing, to listen to someone discuss a work of art they understand, admire and have a deep knowledge of - and not just of the work of art itself, but of the artist who brought it in to being. Thank you, National Gallery, and Caroline!

[@user-bv9mq9yk8k]

I'm happy that I happened to see paintings of Piero della Francescaat on the excibition at the Hermitage in St.Petersburg. Thank you for that possibility. I pray the God to give wisdom our politicians.

[@nationsfavouritegravy6866]

These talks are incredible, thanks for uploading them.

[@bawbtherevelator6445]

What a great talk, Ms Campbell. Age 83 I'm very new to Art History and fascinated by your references to Eastlake. In turn, he aided Turner's arguments about Goethe's Color Theory and it's role in human perception. I don't hope to find "The Answer[s]" to any of these questions but the journey and curiosity keeps life worth living and preserving.

[@SUN-BALLET]

I love to hear her speech. How well articulated she was!

[@stefaniasmanio5857]

Amazing! Absolutely clear, complete, enjoyable! Fabulous speech! Thank you so much!

[@nationalgallery]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pufc4ever378]

I love these talks. Thank you so much for sharing them.

[@AprendeconEloisa]

She is great when explaining!! Love her and her enthusiasm 😁

[@vincefenton]

These talks are indeed excellent and even more so during these lock down days....

[@russellhogben6628]

Wow what an incredible commentary on this iconic painting. The curator has such a wealth of knowledge and accessible style. I’ve been to Borgo San Sepulchro and looked at Piero’s Resurrection, and also the True Cross cycle in Arezzo so it was good to learn more about this other great work.

[@infesta7]

These talks are excellent! Thank you!

[@swvonholzen]

H F 😜

[@akivaragen]

I love the passion in your voice. Thank you. Very interesting 👌

[@threethrushes]

For a public lunchtime lecture, this was appropriate. Amazing to be able to stand in front of a painting made almost six centuries ago. Let that time sink in.

[@flivesey5889]

These talks are excellent. Thankyou for sharing them and please keep on so doing.

[@robbielu22]

Thank you so much your over all knowledge is Fantastic!

[@johnlister463]

A very good presenter and communicator, thanks

[@celesteaida48]

So beautifully prepared and eloquent. Thank you

[@christopherheinig5590]

Fabulous presentation ! I remember seeing this GREAT painting at The NG was marvelled and still am ... Thank You !

[@RobCoghanable]

Brava!

[@andrzejmaranda3699]

This is REALLY INTERESTING!

[@josephpratt7437]

Great! Please continue these talks!

[@europoodle]

I think the middle angel was thinking- “new manager coming in” - we can all relate to being perturbed about that ❤️❤️❤️

[@m.i.miller8008]

love her great commentaries. I could listen to her all day...

[@constancecrosby1219]

Thank you so so much.

[@ljonathan9661]

Absolutely Fantastic. Well Researched and accessible. Thank You

[@mmpoggs2033]

Plant identification?!

[@nw9209]

Thank you so much for this video! You’re the best!!!!

[@Drogman]

Superb explanation!

[@brodbobot]

Beautiful painting!

[@99thehighstreet69]

Astounding brilliant fantastic.Thanks for the share.

[@megenberg8]

superb! I learned quite a bit!

[@pamberry6354]

I completely agree with and applaud the previous viewer, Charlie Brown...a fantastic and energizing talk..so needed during these isolating times! Bravo Caroline Campbell!

[@MariannaK94]

Thank you for shearing.

[@caballosinnombre3981]

one of the Five Great Paintings ever

[@LockportDan]

I would like to have learned more about the influence of mathematics on this painting. Well done. Thank you.

[@FallenNick]

Excellent talk! Thank you

[@maomaoj]

Thank you very much, NG, great lecture! Always enjoy it. Inspiring!

[@antonioprinzo2100]

Thank you !

[@litalsumu188]

Excellent.

[@stormont11]

Excellent! Thank you for such a thorough talk on this uniquely beautiful and wondrous painting!

[@magdalenadelapuerta8259]

Maravillosa pintura y maravillosa conferencia de Caroline Campbell. Gracias!

[@marjoriedybec3450]

such a treat

[@papag6568]

Thank you for an amazing talk. I will inform you that in the Orthodox Christian Church the below hymn is sung: Kontakion of Synaxis of John the Forerunner Plagal of the First Tone The Jordan accepted Your presence in the flesh and reversed its course in fear. John, fulfilling the spiritual ministry, fell back in awe. The ranks of Angels, seeing You in the flesh, baptized in the river, were amazed, and all who were in darkness were filled with light, praising You who appeared and enlightened all. This may help understand the position of the Jordan in this picture.

[@victoriabarclay3556]

That’s marvelous. It’s as if it’s a description of the actual painting

[@JR-lx8nn]

Lovely lecture. I love the reference to Eastlake ... as I own a painting by Eastlake which once hung in the National Gallery. Perhaps I should sell to back ! JR

[@osamuosamu6049]

一つの絵に対してこんなにも語れるなんて凄いな。

[@storia4941]

lovely woman

[@keybawd4023]

A lot of history and a lot of historical anecdotes. But what about the construction of the painting - how, for instance, does he get the dove suspended in the air? The geometry of the picture

[@sallypollitzer6210]

Please return wonderful Piero Baptism to it contemplative, chapel like space once the Leonardo has moved on::::::

[@madeleineblu]

Thank you for your erudition whereby the beauty and understanding of this painting is extracted for the viewer. This is the first time i have seen this painting and my initial thoughts were that the Dove looked like a modern aeroplane coming into land (its fixed wings) and that the Angel with the wreath of flowers on her head is standing in the First Position of Classical Ballet. The receptacle used for the Baptism of the Christ by John the Baptist, could this be the Scallop Shell which is the symbol of the Pilgrim and Pilgrimage? Perhaps the feet of Christ are not in the water to emphasise the words of John the Baptist: 'I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?'

[@PScaman]

Dear Ms Campbell, If ever you see this comment, I wonder if you could help me with what I've always found strange: why are the colours so pale? PS Thanks so much for the revelation about arab science and persrective. It was a total surprise! Paul Scaman.

[@iR3vil4te]

Hope I can help. There are some practical considerations in terms of pigment, but otherwise the pale colours were entirely intentional in order to make the painting so serenely calm and beautiful. There’s some wonderful secondary literature I can share if anyone’s interested.

[@magicknight13]

@@iR3vil4te I may be a little late on this Oliver, but I am curious! It sounds fascinating!

[@WudEvZ]

Has anyone noticed the incredibly modern underwear of the next in line for baptism? That makes me feel like this painting happened yesterday.

[@ginacrusco234]

I agree that it does appear to be anachronistic underwear. This gives me idea that he was painted as naked and that someone later decided that was untoward and lightened the underwear area. See 19:32.

[@WudEvZ]

@@ginacrusco234 Ooo! Interesting!

[@lenawarelius4195]

👏👏👏

[@neoaureus]

Angels near to me...

[@PaulSmith-jz2ys]

history of art rules

[@nationalgallery]

We agree!

[@seanmegan1278]

I've come here after a talk about this artist and picture by a German art historian. Her take on the river was that the water he is being baptised with runs down Jesus's front, disturbing the surface and thus no longer being able to reflect the landscape and surroundings.... I thought that made sense. 😊

[@PurpleAlogia]

It would be nice to see Dr Caroline Campbell's name in the title.

[@eamonr7151]

If you are an art lover look for Waldemar Januszczak too

[@liwi513]

Ode to Piero della Francesca. Daniel Dickerson Art Students League

[@madwag1989]

Great lecture! Is she Irish?

[@user-vp7pm5qu3u]

Will ever Italy's works of art, sold out at bargain prices to developed industrialised countries at the time, get back to their cradle? "The best place to see Piero della Francesca is the National Gallery"...so true and such a shame and pity

[@xenia171]

Is the story of Christ's baptism really told in all four of the gospels? I thought it was only in three of them..?

[@mmpoggs2033]

21:25 I truly do not believe the lack of specific plant identification was not available for this painting! I just wonder why it seems important to point them out without identifying the plants and also happily admit to not adequately presenting the info along with all the other relevant information. The fact that they are specific means they should be available through the speaker both the common names and Latin ones . Some would enjoy homage through the planting in ones own garden. This is all very disappointing, and glibly belittled 😕!

[@juliecain6397]

I WILL NEVER SEE THIS PICTURE IN PERSON...EVEN THO I WATCHED THIS VIDEO, I STILL DON'T FEEL I'VE REALLY SEEN THE PAINTING.

[@randyklinger7649]

"Whatever your faith or lack of faith", Hello?!

[@xaviermoreno2248]

For the speaker : Columbus did not discover new worlds, he arrived in America that is it .

[@davidnunnery7339]

Invaded

[@johnlawrence2757]

It is an interesting painting : I can see it’s an early example of an artist trying to create a real situation out of a bible story instead of the kind of idealised depiction usually demanded by the church in those days. John himself looks quite camp, but I’m not convinced those are angels on the left - they seem a bit disorganised for angels, and the solitary wing is surely a later addition by a different painter altogether . Could they be three of John’s followers? They seem a bit put out - perhaps they think this strange interloper claiming to be John’s cousin is trying to usurp John’s position - and is therefore a threat to their own standing ? Anyway it’s good to see a painting telling a real story so early on. I would honestly doubt that the Essenes themselves were composed of homosexuals - John was far too outspoken and lacking in interest in his own welfare. But probably the monks of Piero’s acquaintance were more likely to have been that way inclined. That bloke’s underpants look quite modern don’t they

[@neoaureus]

Tovn - Kaalm ,wow what is this accent??

[@mmpoggs2033]

Scottish

[@gavinreid5387]

She was born in Belfast.

[@nicolaloverre4524]

Northern Irish

[@Eris123451]

Christians are funny and not a little bothersome, nonetheless a knowledgeable and workman like dissertation on an interesting and beautiful old picture, thank you.

[@AliIKarimi]

The lighting is awful but the talk is great

[@docilelemur4994]

was this pain ting looted from San Sepulcro? This artwork don't belong in a Gallery/

[@gavinreid5387]

When the monastery was dissolved the contents were sold.

[@sagupalguable]

You ought to show more the painting itself! Focus on the whole painting and extensive closeup details! Think "Why a VIDEO?"

[@gavinreid8351]

Demand a refund!

[@patrickdowney1995]

I agree. The glass was already grievously half empty; and now, after watching this video, imperfect in so many ways, it is completely half empty.

[@juliecain6397]

You claim God isn't in the painting, but you don't say a thing about the space ship just above John the Baptist's arm as he raises it to baptize Jesus. What is that if not a symbol of God's presence. Are we hushing up the history of space ships found in paintings of the ancient past?

[@gavinreid5387]

It has been identified. It is a cloud.

[@juliecain6397]

Camera on speaker when it should be on the painting...what a chance for close-ups BLOWN BECAUSE THE CAMERA PERSON SEEMS GLUED TO THE SPEAKER...WHAT IS THE VIDEO ABOUT? THE SPEAKER OR THE PAINTING?

[@sealisa1398]

How much more is very very than very? Regardless, interesting.

[@pistolannie6500]

thats Not an actual representation of Jesus'es Baptism tho. John baptised Jesus in a River.... by Immersion.

[@quartytypo]

Nobody can speak English with an English accent at the National Gallery. It's like restaurants specializing in English cuisine - nobody wants one.

[@gavinreid5387]

But it is a British accent.

[@bumblebill1]

With all the technology today there is no excuse for such a pathetic lecture. The lighting is amateur and the painting can barely be seen. This is the national Gallery?

[@dreed7312]

I watched to see why he was a "quiet revolutionary" but didn't get that. It didn't improve my opinion of his work. I'd like to hear more about his paint. I have an answer for the water at Christ feet: Its a crummy painting and he's a crummy artist. Sell it to a rich,, uncouth businessman and use the money to acquire better art.

[@perditachavez]

too much digressions unfortunately, you need to focus on what's happening in the painting , its architecture, shapes and colors choices, better luck next time we hope ;)