Andrew Marr Art Programme

Yes, I enjoyed it and he seems quite knowledgeable about great works. He paints from his studio in the garden above our river in Devon.

Yes, I thought it was interesting and informative.

Not yet. I may be a heretic, but find the Mona Lisa hugely overrated. (Ducks back under parapet)

Ellianne- your own river? Posh!!

Fascinating programme about Van Gogh's sunflowers. I actually like the third painting in the sunflower series best.

Jane10 well actually our dog's river where he swims most days!!

GrandMattie I agree with you about Mona Lisa! I enjoyed Andrew Marr’s programme, but I’m still underwhelmed!

Elliane- even posher! Some dog!

I remember going to the Louvre and seeing the Mona Lisa and thinking, 'Is that it?' Very underwhelming. Much smaller than I'd thought it would be too.

I disagree the Mona Lisa is beautiful and mesmerising. Remember size doesn't matter well not in this case ?

It wasn't the size that disappointed me. It was the rather drab overall effect. It was just a bit boring!

I’ve recorded them both but not seen them yet. I think it’s going to be running for about 10 weeks. Very interested to see what other famous paintings will be included

I enjoyed his programme about Churchill's painting.

Started watching last nights episode on catchup but could feel my eyes closing as too late. So will watch again during the early evening. Love anything to do with Van Gogh

Yes , love this series. How bright the backing to the sunflowers is.
What is about a painting that makes it so famous? With the ML I think it's that enigmatic smile. Human beings love a mystery. And somehow I think she is saying " you can't fool me. I know all about you."
And the sunflowers, ordinary flowers but such a triumph of expression.
What else is to come?
The Scream? Guernica? The Laughing Cavalier?

Terrific programme. Really enjoyed it. I read that Van Gogh was treated for some of his health problems with digitalis which can cause the vision to "yellow", hence so much of that colour in his paintings.

Maybe this was mentioned last night as I missed the start of the programme. Anyway, here is a link for anyone interested:
www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2017/aug/10/it-was-all-yellow-did-digitalis-affect-the-way-van-gogh-saw-the-world#:~:text=The%20effects%20of%20digitalis%20intoxication%20have%20been%20suggested%20as%20the,him%20holding%20a%20foxglove%20flower.

loopyloo you're right, there is almost something inexplicable present in great works of art. And the lives of the artists are so colourful too. I think there will be some British ones to come like Constable and Turner.

Interesting Sparklefizz. Thank you.

Yes, it's J.W.Turner nex week I think. What a fascinating series this is.

Next

Fascinating but sad programme. I like the third picture best too.

Suddenly after The Fighting Temeraire in the schedule I read Last in the series. What a disappointment. I was really looking forward to many more paintings. I found the programmes very interesting.

Oh no, that's a shame, there's so many more I wanted to learn about.

There are more...next week AM looks at Picasso's the Weeping Woman. I've found this series fascinating.

Like others, I couldn't see what the fuss was about re Mona Lisa but this series by AM has led to a better understanding. I still can't say I like it though and wouldn't queue for hours to see it..