The Rococo Era: The Art Of Pleasure And Madness | Perspective

Rococo: The "Crude" Art Of Pleasure (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary) | Perspective
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Waldemar looks at the pursuit of pleasure in the Rococo age, to which a huge amount of cultural energy was devoted. For the first time in history, pleasure and happiness were seen as unalienable human rights that everyone was free to pursue and is reflected so poignantly in the art of Boucher, Watteau, Gainsborough and Tiepolo. In its boundless search for delight it often went too far, but, put crudely, Rococo art stopped tasting like medicine and started tasting like cakes.
Following the grandeur of Baroque, Rococo art is often dismissed as frivolous and unserious, but Waldemar Januszczak disagrees. In this three-part series he re-examines Rococo art and argues that the Rococo was actually the age in which the modern world was born. Picking three key territories of Rococo achievement - travel, pleasure and madness - Waldemar celebrates the finest cultural achievements of the period and examine the drives and underlying meanings that make them so prescient.
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From Rococo: Before Bedtime
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[@JoelMBarr-hh7vs]

People at work ask me what I do on my weekends. I can't decide if I should tell them that I'm enamored with every documentary that Waldemar Januszczak produces and I thusly spend hour upon hour of watching these documentaries. Social life? Who needs it? I have these treasures to indulge upon!

[@linzalabamaawake5230]

Yesssssss

[@user-ke8st8jc1v]

Thank God for the internet and documentaries like this however the addiction to it is very dangerous and it leads to loneliness

[@lindabranigan1443]

I,also share your love fo

[@lindabranigan1443]

"Wald" Wish he lived next door.

[@sheepheard483]

i didnt realize we had mutual friend? you must pop by when im not there. i spend so much time with him, im sure we will bump into one another.

[@susanthoms6268]

Wish I had Waldemar as a professor when I was at college!! I cannot get enough of art history taught by this wise and witty man.

[@--enyo--]

Wow, nice.

[@bhawanasarsuniya5600]

I thought the same

[@baylorsailor]

Waldemar laying on the couch while describing Rococo art is the best part 😆

[@missasinenomine]

It's a wonder he managed to get up again!

[@abielcotto2392]

I guess it happened to all of us! we all share something similar, I was looking for something on Van Goh and found Waldermar 7 days later I had watched almost every documentary that he's been on KZbin. He makes you feel like a kid on a tour being hosted by a marvellous storyteller... Kudos to Waldermar and the whole Perspective crew for this well arrange art documentary...Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you!!

[@sbennett315]

Yes I agree with you. Have you read "Van Gogh the Life"? If not, it's a must read if you love Van Gogh. I've read it twice & now on the 3rd time.

[@user-dl7fg7qk8j]

@@sbennett315 мозг Ван Гога был отправлен токсинами . Он пил спиртное с токсинами. Это шизофрения. Свобода это шизофрения и вседозволенность ? Другой пример . От такой свободы Людовик 14 лишился носа , сифилис сразил его . Свободный секс дал свои плоды ! Ван Гог имел официальный диагноз шизофрения .

[@aelyn2909]

That pink nail polish on a copy of the Declaration of Independence, love it. Get it my boi, get it. Declaring that the Declaration of Independence is a Rococo manifesto is brilliant and hilarious. I nearly double majored in Art History, and we need more professors such as Waldermar- more folks might actually get degree's in it!

[@bzxshor67mpts]

Waldemar---one of the most unpretentious and best presenters of Art History. No bullshit about him .Honest and knowledgeable

[@danacomstock7598]

I screamed when he splayed himself on the couch. Love this guy!

[@granthurlburt4062]

One of my favourite presenters. Enthusiastic, ver knowledgeable, and just the right amount of humour. His genuine enthusiasm at learning and communicating new ideas and knowledge is stimulating

[@Silburific]

"Rococo manga" I will never think about classical art the same way again.

[@Hvitserk67]

A documentary with Waldemar Januszczak as presenter is always worth spending time on. It is interesting, free-thinking and uplifting as well as humorous in a rather sophisticated way. For me, Waldemar has undoubtedly been a door opener for classical art. What was dry and relatively boring suddenly became interesting and exciting, as it should be and is.

[@roniquebreauxjordan1302]

The humour! To havw seen some of this art whilst in Europe..🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@expromanticart6491]

Art has never been boring. Maybe it is to the folks who do not comprehend it. Waldemar offers a new perspective, but he speculates a lot about the works, I have been in art for decades. Some of the things he concludes does not have any document or proof outside of his analysis. expromantic art

[@jamilibrahim884]

Are they coming or going. Hilarious

[@emmathienes8588]

@@expromanticart6491 I felt the same way. I would follow him along for a bit and then he would come up with some explanation, for a piece, that sounded deep but I saw no evidence presented to support it. Some I even disagreed with him on.

[@expromanticart6491]

@@emmathienes8588 There you go! In another video and talking about a painting (self portrait) by Van Gogh, he concluded that the top of the easel was representing the Cross, thereby alluding to Van Gogh's Christian faith, etc. I reminded him by my comment that it was not so. It was just a part of his composition and his trade. His speculations to him are logical conclusions, and he presents them as such. Now, I love his videos because he is so entertaining and energetic. He occasionally covers and clarifies some points unknown to me, but after studying all the major artists of the last 600 years or so, I am basically familiar with the major topics. He is a great presenter and an interesting narrator. His style is so engaging, but I wish he could distinguish between speculations and facts. Thank you for your comment.

[@Alla.Nikonova.]

This film is a chef-d'œuvre. The bits and pieces of rococo art, history and art history that I've been studying and admiring for dozens of years suddenly became a whole, skillfully narrated and gracefully illustrated, profound and lucid philosophical story. Bravo!

[@granthurlburt4062]

Thank you. Good to hear from a knowledgeable person who appreciates a good presenter

[@musicartgeek]

Warning: you’re about to see Waldemar sprawled on a couch imitating Boucher’s “Portrait of Marie-Louise O’Murphy”, and you won’t be able to un-see it

[@casteretpollux]

The idea that the rococco invented elaborate dining, fancy state bedrooms, books, and so on, is farcical, as is the idea that American revolution was rococco. Piffle.

[@musicartgeek]

@@casteretpollux True - Waldemar does have his flights of fancy. I would add that the idea that the man in the bushes in Fragonard's "Pleasures Of The Swing" has the "exact" pose of Adam in Michelangelo's fresco is nonsense, even more so the implication of intentionality. But he's one of the most entertaining and engaging art history commentators in the popular media, and he's blessedly free of the preciousness that pervades the discipline. I was annoyed by the ahistorical liberties I saw in my first episode, but after a couple more, resistance was futile - and who else is even talking about the Rococo, let alone spending two hours on it?

[@Frank_Nemo]

Thanks for the warning, it's appreciated. I'll pass on this one :)

[@musicartgeek]

@@Frank_Nemo It's actually hilarious and it's a great episode

[@PsychoKat90]

haha I love him for that!

[@merkyw4187]

I have only recently discovered this marvellous person who has truly blown away any cobwebs on my introspective love of art..he is so good and so funny and should be honoured with many an award as an educator to the masses

[@DelightLovesMovies]

I love how Waldemar does his job with so much glee and enthusiasm.

[@jackmontrose7903]

And those pink fingernails...

[@s.v.2796]

For me, Waldemar J. is one of the best art historians and teachers the 20yh c has produced. Thoughtful, well-researched, balanced he is not afraid to stretch his thinking (and ouers) beyond the limits of proscribed tradition and even, at times, break the rules. When doing so there is always an exploration of the subject, an explanation based on much more than "feelings" or "I think this way therefore it must be true." Rather, he leads us, point by point, (at times digressing to enhance the explaination). Drawing tightly the strings, anchored in each point, he neatly pulls them together into us an alternative solution, or manner of looking at a culture, a painting or even a dictator. I, a life long scholar, have learned much from his videos. I am deeply grateful.

[@five_more_minutes_please]

Such a great program, knowledgeable, interesting. I adore The Host, his bright humor is delightful!

[@blue2134]

The host of this documentary is really amazing, he really makes me interested in art history, I love how he uses humor to present the stories being the paintings

[@StephiSensei26]

One year later and I'm still laughing! Thank you Waldemar!🤣 Killer funny!

[@ReallyGottaTap]

Oh, Waldy splayed out on the couch with blue velvet and lurid pink stuff. Omorphia! indeed. Saving me again in these uncertain yet certainly horrid days. A poster would be nice. Thank you for committing wholly.

[@transamgal9]

OMG I saw his bottom🍑 and had to l👀k away...my eyes my eyes

[@alanmccright2282]

Fascinating historical perspective. Waldermar is a fine presenter, with just the right amount of wit and irreverence.

[@viktoriyarts]

Yes, I actually remember something thanks to that

[@zedwms]

You mean, as in a ton of wit and irreverence?

[@xplodinggrrrl8631]

Am I the only one who felt cheated when Mr Jasnuszcak posed on the couch... fully clothed? ;) Brilliant episode!

[@Fuliginosus]

I love this documentary, but I think artists like Fragonard (and to a lesser extent Boucher) deserve more credit. They allow troubled people to share their vision of an idyllic life. The world needs more rococo!

[@victorboucher675]

Some people hate others enjoying life.

[@henrydegroff4282]

Please no. No more Rococo

[@denegillespie5767]

Another great hour in Waldemar's company. I look forward to every film he makes.

[@ItsChurchieYall]

Me too!

[@magorzataanna938]

I love your sense of humor. I admire your unique way of transmitting knowledge about art. Thanks to your anecdotes and antics, it is much easier to remember important information. This year I was taking my art history exam and thanks to your films I did great. I am learning English by the way and you speak so beautifully and carefully that I understand every word :) So I'm going to prepare for my language exam by listening to your films. Thank you

[@Chris-um3se]

This is beyond BRILLIANT ---Bravo

[@Ch7oma]

Spent the entire weekend binge watching Waldemar Januszczak's documentary and I'm ultimately hooked!!!! I was only interested in watching something on Da Vinci to clarify something, now, here I am, day 4 and loving every bit of it!!!! Thanks for the most entertaining educative, informative series of greatly detailed documentary I've seen in a looooooong time. PS, I'm not sure what the people that clicked the dislike button are looking for, but I hope they find it. LOL

[@abielcotto2392]

I guess it happened to all of us! I share something similar, I was looking for something on Van Goh and found Waldermar, 7 days later I had watched almost every documentary that he's been on KZbin. He makes you feel like a kid on a school tour to the art museum being hosted by a marvellous storyteller...

[@Ch7oma]

@@abielcotto2392 I knoooooooow!!!!! I really hope he makes more!!!!!!

[@abielcotto2392]

@@Ch7oma Yes!! PLEASE PERSPECTIVE!! Is a special request!! LOL

[@Ch7oma]

@@abielcotto2392 hahahahaha...YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! I’m with you on that 💯

[@BeverlyM52]

WOW! This is amazing. I love the history of the world mixed with the history of art mixed with the pleasure of art. Thank you for this!

[@MBY1952]

הגשת המנחה מעולה. הצילום והבימוי מעולים. למדתי ונהנתי. תודה רבה.

[@45whitedragon]

Anybody else here is a fan of Artsy Waldy? And as much as we love the art for its own value, learning from him adds value to everything we see in his films!

[@melanieohara6941]

Yes! He’s the best, Alf. Bottoms up-watching from Wyoming on Second Lockdown. ugggg😷

[@45whitedragon]

@@melanieohara6941 Seconds are not always great. Hope you're safe and with more than one way of income.

[@melanieohara6941]

@@45whitedragon Thanks, Alf. I am a retired university professor-Engidh snd Art History-with good retiement income. So far, so good. 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@45whitedragon]

@@melanieohara6941 Ha ha! This leads to a question, have you spotted many or any mistakes? or biases?

[@melanieohara6941]

@@45whitedragon First, someday I will learn to spell English-sorry! I typed my previous response in haste. Yes, biases abound, but Waldy is many-sided, and great fun, to boot. Most Art Historians are flat; Waldy is a prism. That’s refreshing to old academic eyes like mine. ☺️

[@kimberlypatton9634]

Just reading the first 20 or so comments ,I am pleased to see such intelligent,appreciative, cultured and well spoken art lovers here! This video is excellent,and maybe an era I might have loved to have lived during! I just bought a cheap knock off "tapestry" depicting the ceiling painting in Versailles..I'm on an art Rocco bender now..I'm in love with the style of all of it! So decadent and hedonistic and beautifully soft and feminine! He cracked me up laying on the bed!

[@TheWarriorprincess09]

I'm addicted to these documentaries! They are marvelous!!

[@thezenboy]

I too will paint my finger nail pink to celebrate our modern depravity. Winter in Canada and in a COVID lockdown. You are taking me around the world and dancing through history. Thank you.

[@laciLaszloM]

lm glad you pointed out that about his finger nail.....l was seriously going to call names

[@wrbowcalifyrobertson5087]

I can not find a pompadour pink Tutu in mens 5xxl anywhere

[@Wee-Snaw]

@@laciLaszloMCalling names over nail polish? What are you, 12? He usually does silly things like that in all his videos.

[@Buggieboo69]

I thought the World Health Organization said NOT to lock down...that they don't work and they cause more harm than good? Canadian socialism has bred dictatorship it seems

[@johnmanley3849]

@@Buggieboo69 My American friend. As a Canadian and speaking for all of my family and friends we would love to know why so many of you folks think we are a socialist country. This could not be further from the truth. We think we know why however. It's because of our paid for medical coverage when we have a medical issue. We are very proud of our Medicare system, it's not perfect but I think it is better than your current system from what all of your country men/women have told me. For example. A guy I met in Michigan a while back was telling me, he and his wife wanted to have there first child. Thankfully he had insurance as if not, it would have cost them $15.000. I almost fell on the floor. WOW I said to him. That's unbelievable. So what if it turns out to be twins ? $30.000 ? In any case, the simple answer/argument is we have a deep believe that as a good human being on this planet, we help another person when they are sick and hurting. I know you guys think the same way. I have visited your great country many, many times for business and for holidays. It has always been a positive trip. For example. A few years ago, my wife and I got caught in a brutal snow storm just past Buffalo NY heading south for holidays. I was barely able to get our car into a motel parking lot where it was buried in 2 feet of snow blocking the in--out lanes. I had no shovel no snow tires. Before I even got out of the car a guy came out of nowhere and started to shovel us out so I could at least move the car further up closer to the parking area. This at least allowed about another 10 cars in and off the road as they were closing the hiway. I could not believe how fast he helped us. The guy didn't even have a winter coat on. I tried to pay him, he said no, I tried to give him a 24 of our high test Canadian 🍺 beer again no thanks. So at the end of the day, call us socialist that's okay, it's all about helping people that are down on their luck and need help with a broken arm or stuck in the snow.

[@darcymeijer3244]

Waldemar, you're a wonderful teacher!

[@golfman9290]

A well spent hour of my life, i thank you Mr. januszczak.

[@jackiecorley8942]

I love how he points things that my teachers did not.

[@paulaneary7877]

MY GOD! I love that dining room! The silver against the white tablecloths! WOW!

[@rjones83061]

Waldemar ROCKS!!!....... as an art historian my favorite .........he is cool

[@melanieohara6941]

I will never look at a comma and/or a fullstop again without roaring with laughter! Thanks, Waldy-Cheers!😆

[@gerardlewis-fitzgerald7757]

Sans virgula (virgule ~ verge, etc.), souci point! Clever.

[@christianmay3959]

I learned a lot from Waldemar. Among other things the following two maxims: 1. Art must reflect the dolefulness of life. 2. The artist must execute the Impressionist bush stroke. The latter in particular is praiseworthy.

[@rubberbrush]

Wow! These films are fantastic; thank you for making them. It looks like a lot of work, but time well spent.

[@brightgreenfuzzyball3000]

Thank you so much for your passion and labor of lessons on true art , real history and raw humanity . Amazing what we can learn and enjoy is so limitless

[@BeverlyM52]

Fragonard's picture, "Young Girl Reading," is one of my VERY favorite pictures (as a retired English teacher/school librarian that makes some kind of sense beyond the aesthetic!). How fun that you've put her into some historical perspective! I had no idea that the artist was so naughty. (I know very little about art or its history: I just know what I like.)

[@garyschraa9508]

"She MUST be Irish ....... cause my penis is Dublin !" (bad joke , just kidding) sorry

[@anthonypeters8714]

Art's understanding at it's peak thoroughly enjoyable every bit of it. Thanks Waldemar.

[@antagonicohoy]

Wowwww Waldemar es una maravilla!!! Jamás hubiera sospechado eso ni su conección a ese trágico final. Una serie maravillosa. Gracias de veras !!!

[@nancywysemen7196]

best hour of my day. lovely art and pacing. thank-you.

[@dannyka6738]

Uwielbiam pana filmy, panie Waldku!

[@frozencancukfinearts]

The craft of narration has never been better occasioned. And Waldemar "rocks" some awesome socks!

[@patriceortovent6451]

Waldemer is a fine entertainer and more if one knows enough about art history and history in general. Plenty of details hardly anyone knows about, it’s interesting to watch.

[@AvalonDreamz]

That library though.. absolutely beautiful. That is all I can say.

[@boprzybysz2603]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👍💖💖💖Thank you Waldemar Januszczak for outstanding series, please bring more 💞

[@roybrewer7865]

You out-did yourself with this one! I love it! Thanks

[@jaymo8206]

I could listen to and watch Waldemar talk about growing grass, The lawn type.

[@clarekuehn4372]

We need the **3rd in the series,** please: Rococo when dark. 😍🤗

[@vaniberi8189]

Love Waldemar Januszczak's humor! What a pleasure to watch his series...

[@loulagregg8468]

I love how your thumb polish matched the Pompadour pink of the upholstery in Sans, Souci.

[@TheTesemeau]

Waldemar is a fantastic and original presenter, thanks for uploading.

[@makyeebon]

Another fantastic film! So playful yet informative and interesting. Love it!

[@deliafunk9810]

This is amazing! Always amazing from Waldemar, he is SO interesting!

[@georgehave]

Opening our eyes to appreciate art.

[@elenabyelkina709]

An adorable moment of the teller laying beautifully as a king's mistress :))) LOL

[@pierrotlehonque5084]

I like this guy's nail polish

[@geetbhagwat9902]

4:40 LADIES LAUGHING UPON THAT TRUMP SAID HE IS NOW GENTLE MAN

[@melanieelliott8417]

Yeah, the one pink nail .... Odd. 🤷

[@melanieelliott8417]

Maybe he is trying to get into the Rocco vide of the whole thing.

[@suzylux]

part 3? anyone? I love this and i LOVE Waldemar. He's so cute & sweet and funny and i just love being taken on his adventures and listening to his....~perspective. He's fab

[@LadyCoyKoi]

I would love to have a room the size of these galleries just so that I could paint massive murals like I use to. I really miss my years in painting such large portraits of the infamous and unpopular. The look on peoples' faces' seeing/viewing my paintings was the real art work... their grotesque, contorted faces were my masterpieces. 😎 The more human I made criminals of the past the more uncomfortable the peoples responses were and that I felt was the true beauty of art... to convey emotions and feelings, harking back to the days of Rococo. You could say that my art works are heavily inspired by art in the 18th and 19th Centuries. To say that they didn't would be a lie. Anyways thank you for this.

[@Ipoetize]

Based on words alone I now want to see some of your Art.

[@colindunnigan8621]

At one of the partitions of Poland, the Austrian Empress Maria Teresa apparently expressed grief at the act (despite being a participant). Frederick, pithy as always, is said to have sneered, "She cries, but she eats!"

[@BobStetson]

I love these videos! I am learning so much. Thank you

[@georgetteconstant9050]

Love this guy. If I'd only had a art profile this. Everyone is a gem! Thank you!

[@tammywilks8782]

I absolutely loved this episode, perfection 🇨🇦

[@pearlharbor4790]

I love your fun style of narration. Thank you.

[@parthasmukherjee4774]

A brilliant documentary!

[@martinaanagnostou7422]

Waldemar you are simply absolutely fantastic! I can’t believe I am just getting to know you! It’s not just that you have my beloved grandfathers name, you are irresistibly cheeky and delightfully knowledgeable. A million times thank you .

[@massimosquecco203]

Great, great, great!

[@patrickpierce1635]

I'm a fashion illustrator, seeing those works by Tiepolo makes my mouth water, literally. He was the precursor for fashion illustration, the economy of line, the complex yet simplistic reduction of shadow, light, and form, the lush almost juicy quality of the figures, not to mention the palpable drama in each figure; It's just an absolute pleasure to see every time. Beyond inspiring.

[@Kaytecando]

Waldemar is as interesting and more funny than the subject he is discoursing on. I'd love to go traveling with him. What a riot!

[@luthermcgee7297]

Excellent video. The narrator has an obvious sense of humor. As an artist, I've drawn ( on location) some of the paintings of watteau . And I loved also Francois Boucher whose work I drew from the Washington meyseum of art ( west building).

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@martinaanagnostou7422]

Absolutely love this series and would love to see the 3rd part, but I cannot find it 😩

[@jainthorne4136]

Oh....who knew we needed to see Waldemar Januszczak in a Rococo nude's pose? He is such a delight.

[@maximusaugustus6823]

Oscar worthy episode of a documentary of arts

[@davidsilverhawk3732]

Wonderful!

[@sgiovanniello1]

You are very good my friend! I enjoyed your presentation of this

[@Artby_Katina]

Love your personal touch

[@mannymoseley4005]

Thank you for posting this entertaining, insightful video. I enjoyed it immensely. I learned a great deal and found it fascinating. Waldemar Januszczak is insightful and entertaining. Thank you.

[@abbyapacible4803]

Interestingly beautiful.. I love your channel.. Pls keep it up..

[@geckoproductions4128]

Haven't had this much fun since I took an art history course at UT Austin 50 years ago....and no exam!!!

[@bodegabreath4258]

Quality viewing. Thoroughly engrossing, and unless I’m very much mistaken, not to be confused with thoroughly grossed out. 😊

[@betoortiz6098]

Great upload!

[@Ghost_with_Bow]

House of pleasure remindes me of dopamine decoration i've seen on tiktok (or where i've discovered a similar thing). The purpose of it, beeing that you're decorating your home with things that give you joy.

[@guyboulton3269]

loved your posing on the loveseat/couch..... beside myself with laughter

[@toddmurphy523]

An absolute perfect pairing of musician and instrument.

[@harmonymomentofbeing5753]

I lose it every time they pan back to him posing on that couch bwahaha love it !

[@dianneledford3681]

Thanks for sharing this ♥️ this guy not sure his name right now just clicked on the video but I heard him an subscribed immediately to the perspective channel and I think a binge watching session is in order for the long holiday weekend here in the US but thank you so much for this information to opportunity to learn an enjoy

[@sabotage2915]

How interesting channel! Thank you!

[@missMagbeth]

47:37 That maybe was a sad story for those times, but in today's world, it wouldn't be so crazy. Some people have turbulent lives but not many have a life-long companion and friend to move in with and support them. So that's a good ending.

[@sewolawen73]

Thanks for putting up this excellent series and getting me through these tough times. Is Part 3 anywhere on this channel? Would love to see Waldemar talk about Goya and his "Black Paintings".

[@toniemarlow8791]

YES!!

[@aaronipepperoni1362]

OK that bedroom looks stunning!

[@mitutoyo34]

loved it...

[@hannawagenknecht6378]

It's very informative,thank you very much, Waldemar 😊

[@skyqueen1148]

Magnificent!

[@coquelicot1521]

I was watching this episode of Waldemar being pleasantly intoxicated with red wine (I recommend this point of view). He seemed to be very persuasive, consistently hilarious, and very roccocan. Including hairstyle.

[@StefanMedici]

I'm watching it from the same perspective, with an added thunderstorm raging outside. Bliss

[@DaveRCollins1]

Him laying on the couch as O'Morphe had me in stitches 🤣