Customer Reviews

Sister Wendy - The Complete Collection (Story of Painting / Grand Tour / Odyssey / Pains of Glass)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"The story of painting is one that is immensely rich in meaning, yet its value is all too often hidden from us by the complexities of historians. We must forget the densities of 'history' and simply surrender to the wonder of the story."" --Sister Wendy Beckett

This four-DVD set presents every Sister Wendy episode from her Story of Painting series, plus Sister Wendy's Odyssey, Sister Wendy's Pains of Glass, Sister Wendy's Grand Tour and an interview with Sister Wendy.

When watching these DVDs, you will become as enthralled with art as Sister Wendy is herself. As a long-time fan of her books, I was pleased to finally be able to view the art all over Europe and to hear her poetic explanations.

When explaining the paintings at the Caves of Lascaux, I was surprised when she mentioned evolution. However, it was so delightful to hear a nun explaining the cave art and concluding that art is about being human. What made me laugh out loud was those times when she just breaks free from reticence and says things like "male erotic fury" when describing the cave painting.

At times Sister Wendy says the most amusing things. They are all in innocence and show her beauty, yet slightly mischievous side.

She is not your "everyday" nun or at least, she is not what I expected. She fully embraces art with an aesthetic sensibility all while exploring the very human and at times erotic side of art. Kids will never catch onto this as it will go right over
their heads.

I just find the way she becomes so intoxicated with art to be very entertaining. Sister Wendy seems to view the world with a sense of childlike wonder and yet has the knowledge of a scholar.

The way she presents the art awakens a love and appreciation for art that becomes so strong you might even find yourself overwhelmed by beauty.

Not only do you get to view the art, the environments in which it was created and see how art changed over time, Sister Wendy explains color, symbolism and the spiritual, political and personal aspects of the paintings. Art comes alive and is no longer just a painting. It is a combination of the experiences that make up life. She explains the emotions the characters are feeling and even gives logical explanations for the Mona Lisa's smile.

I learned many things while viewing these DVDs. You can read many books on art, but viewing Sister Wendy's programs is a much more enlightening way to go. There is also a "special feature" where pop-up notes on artists and their work appear so you can view additional information while watching the shows. You can also pause the program to zoom in on the paintings.

What makes these shows a thing of great beauty is the natural settings in which the art was created. You have waves crashing on rocks as she discusses Scotland in 800 AD. You view Venice in all its beauty and see Pompeii like never before.

I had a difficult time writing anything down while watching the shows because I was so completely captivated. If this doesn't inspire you to go to Europe, nothing will!

Other books I have found to be of great beauty:

Sister Wendy's Book of Meditations
Sister Wendy's Impressionist Masterpieces
Love: Meditations on Love by Sister Wendy
Sister Wendy's Story of Painting

~The Rebecca Review

I highly recommend this DVD even if the idea of an old nun talking about art doesn't seem appealing or trendy to you. Believe me, I was VERY suspicious about it and also prejudiced at the beginning, but Sister Wendy's excellent teachings of art history coupled with her intense passion for the subject has completely won me over. If like me your prejudiced, go ahead and buy it, the chances are that you won't regret it. You willl learn a lot and have fun too. I went to the inauguration events of both Bilbao's Guggenheim and Cincinnati's CAC. I am attracted to art not only because of the art itself but also because of the avant-gard, rebellious, environment of sophistication and good taste that surrounds it. Thus, I am in the target category of people who may be prejudiced against an old nun talking about art as that brings to mind images of conservativism, total obcession with old religious paintings, preaching, unworldlyness, lack of technical knowledge, etc, etc. Nothing of that is true of Sister Wendy. In fact in this DVD she will tell you that Matisse is her favorite painter (surprised that is not Giotto?), she will provide all the technical details and context like an Ivy league professor and she will gp beyond that by pouring her heart out about the emotions that the paintings originate in her, and you will be surprised to know that is not all about piety. The best DVD I have ever seen about art and I have an extensive collection with more traditional sources as narrators (museum directors, NY art critics, painters, etc) which aren't nearly as good.

Wendy presents the world of art on a variety of levels, historic, psychological, spritual and mystical. She is enthusiastic and emotional towards her topics. Listening to her is really a joy. Consider that her life is not filled with the financial, relational, and ownership concerns that most of us deal with on a daily basis. Her spirit is uncluttered to the point that she can see clearly, freely and purely and she wants to share that experience with us. She has no real possessions of her own, but wants to give us what she does have, and that is her obvious enthusiasm, insight and deep understanding.

I use Sister Wendy in my Art History classes for unsophisticated students who tend to think comic books and video games are all that there is to fine art. They laugh uproariously at Sister Wendy herself, but not at the art she presents. I know it seems juvenile, but the truth is that art tends to intimidate people; some react by deriding it as a defence to their ignorance. Sister Wendy breaks the ice. She adds "sizzle" to attract the viewer with works that might normally be ignored. She allows the novice access to timeless beauty. She melts prejudice with humor and sincere admiration. In short, depite her rather unorthodox methods, Sister Wendy opens minds.

Making great works of art accessible to everyone is a worthy enterprise. Sister Wendy sets out on this daunting task with her interesting lisp and her offbeat analysis of some iconic images. Her enthusiasm is infectious. People really are intimidated when they see this stuff. Afraid to "get it wrong". Sister Wendy is here to lead you into looking at art yourself with that some of her child-like enthusiasm and an open mind. She likes to show you how to dump your preconceived notions of what is and is not great art and relax into just looking. I know it sounds weird but Sister Wendy is a bit of a hedonist that way. I find her analysis very strange at times. I don't always agree with her but she is so much fun I can forgive her anything.

For a fun little game, try to count the number of times she says "Ewotic" in a given episode. The makings of a great drinking game there.

This has been a joy to view! I used it with my second and third graders for homeschool. It is in half-hour segments that easily kept their attention. I had rented it but plan to buy it now!! As an adult I enjoyed the additional information in the subtitles. We viewed several segmants repeatedly for our further enjoyment. Wonderfully planned and put together. Art appreciation like I have never know it.

I grew up in an environment of art critics including the Jansons whom my parents were close friends with and I can tell you Sister Wendy Beckett is dead on target in her unbelievable insight into art. Newcommers to her series should not be put off by any preconceived thoughts that this nun's presentation might be in any way naive or prissy. In fact I would not recommend this for the very young as she is not averse to delving into the earthier aspects of art when appropriate. She is not without humor either, but above all else Sister Wendy gets into the very soul of the artists she presents. The series on painting, which is the centerpiece of the collected works is itself a master work of art from the editing to the music to the wonderful detail of the choreographing of Sister Wendy's black habit as it cuts and moves across the frame. The series is all too short. One could only wish there were much much more.

Tim Sappington AIA
Councilor, NH State Council on the Arts

I teach AP Art History in a high school and I find her discussions on the Medieval, Gothic and Renaissance artwork to be very accessible and entertaining for my students. She provides a very nice counterpoint to the classroom lectures and her enthusiasm for the subject matter comes through clearly.

I teach in a Christian High School, so have to be careful with the videos I show for art history instruction. Sister Wendy is great. I enjoy her sense of humor - some of her comments are a riot! I always know when to watch for reactions on the faces of the students to see who is really watching and listening to the video. I show her videos to each of my three classes each week - and have been for 6 years (I just replaced my VHS with a DVD), and I still learn something each time I watch them! A half an hour a week of Sister Wendy is good for anyone's soul!!!

Sister Wendy - The Complete Collection (Story of Painting / Grand Tour / Odyssey / Pains of Glass)

We've discovered Sister Wendy 11 years ago, borrowed her videos and books from library, enjoyed immensely. Great family enlightment. Now my second son is 8 and Sister Wendy is available on DVD. She is great for kids and adults, very educational, touching, emotional. She is passionate about life, art, history and life, wise connoisseur with amasing sense of humour, understanding of times and realities. She brings up a lot of positive thinking. Great personality she shares her fascination with audience generously. Her stories are lively and full of humane details. She is an artist in her own and unique way. The best and wondeful introduction to the whole world of eternal ART.