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DVD Description
In a three-part epic journey through a 500–year artistic legacy, Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the surprises, beauty and wonder of German art.
The fascinating story takes us from the towering cathedral of Cologne, the woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer and paintings of Grünewald to the gothic fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, the Baltic landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich and the industrialisation lent expression of Adolph Menzel and Käthe Kollwitz.
As the series progresses it presents a rare focus on the cultural impact of Hitler’s obsession with visual art, reveals how art became an arena for the Cold War and examines the redemptive work of the “visionary” Joseph Beuys – the most influential artist of modern times.
In an absorbing study, Andrew Graham-Dixon tells the story of a national art that conveys passion, precision, hope and renewal, and juxtaposes escapism with control and a deep affinity with nature against a love for the machine.
“A terrific series presented by Andrew Graham-Dixon… thoughtful and inspiring” The Guardian
“A beguiling view of the country’s artistic history” Daily Telegraph
The fascinating story takes us from the towering cathedral of Cologne, the woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer and paintings of Grünewald to the gothic fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, the Baltic landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich and the industrialisation lent expression of Adolph Menzel and Käthe Kollwitz.
As the series progresses it presents a rare focus on the cultural impact of Hitler’s obsession with visual art, reveals how art became an arena for the Cold War and examines the redemptive work of the “visionary” Joseph Beuys – the most influential artist of modern times.
In an absorbing study, Andrew Graham-Dixon tells the story of a national art that conveys passion, precision, hope and renewal, and juxtaposes escapism with control and a deep affinity with nature against a love for the machine.
“A terrific series presented by Andrew Graham-Dixon… thoughtful and inspiring” The Guardian
“A beguiling view of the country’s artistic history” Daily Telegraph
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Andrew Graham-Dixon has presented numerous art programmes on TV but I believe this is only the second to be released on DVD, quickly following "The Art of Spain". I found these German programmes the most interesting of all the presenter's programmes, perhaps partly because I was less well-informed about German art but also I think because Graham-Dixon does such an excellent job. The first of the three one-hour episodes covers the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque period and seeks to relate art to its historical context. Though I was acquainted with the works of Durer, Altdorfer and Messerschmidt I must confess I knew little about others such as Tilman Riemenschneider. The presenter's analysis of his stone and limewood carving is fascinating. The second episode takes the story up to the First World War and sets art against the background of the attempts to unify Germany. Caspar David Friedrich features prominently as does the art of Prussia, the state that was to unify Germany.
The third episode is "In the Shadow of Hitler". It looks at the Nazi era from the perspective of art, and in particular claims that art exerted a powerful effect on Hitler's own visions for Germany and influenced his actions. Just as Stalin disliked modern art and sought to change it so too did Hitler. The episode also deals with how post-war German artists tried to come to terms with Nazi legacy, with much material new to me.
I find Graham-Dixon an engaging and informative presenter and I believe this to be the best of all his TV series. Just one discordant note however: why does the background music have to be so loud and intrusive on so many BBC programmes? I might have awarded five stars had it not been for the music.
The third episode is "In the Shadow of Hitler". It looks at the Nazi era from the perspective of art, and in particular claims that art exerted a powerful effect on Hitler's own visions for Germany and influenced his actions. Just as Stalin disliked modern art and sought to change it so too did Hitler. The episode also deals with how post-war German artists tried to come to terms with Nazi legacy, with much material new to me.
I find Graham-Dixon an engaging and informative presenter and I believe this to be the best of all his TV series. Just one discordant note however: why does the background music have to be so loud and intrusive on so many BBC programmes? I might have awarded five stars had it not been for the music.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Overall, an enjoyable and informative series, although I would prefer to have seen more of the artwork and landscapes. I found the frequent close-up shots of Andrew Graham-Dixon intrusive, rather like having somebody standing in front of the television. This, along with the somewhat rapid views of certain works, tends to take a little from the very interesting commentaries.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Really, really excellent documentary. You can't go wrong at this price and Graham-Dixon doesn't disappoint. Anyone with a liking for art should buy this.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Art of Germany
An excellent DVD... we managed to catch one of the transmissions on TV but missed the rest. Having visited Munich recently it acted as a catch up on art and culture there. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Jenny
The Art of Germany
Andrew Graham Dixon knowledgeably explores not only the well known icons of German art, but also some very esoteric works that he argues very convincingly deserve consideration. Read more
Published 20 days ago by James Wilhelm
Yearnings Made Concrete
From Cologne in the west to Berlin in the east; and from Hamburg in the north to Munich in the south, Andrew Graham-Dixon's three-part BBC series on the art of Germany does not... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Nicholas Casley
Art of Germany; DVD
Excellent! We bought the second set for the Xmas gift, keeping the first for ourselves. Exceptional work of the Author and BBC crew. High quality product. Read more
Published 5 months ago by kunzhoffmann
unbalanced
I thought these programmes were unbalanced and in places disingenuous. To start a programme on German Art with Gothic architecture (which is essentially French) is odd, and then,... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Michael Scuffil
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