Product Details

• Actors: Sister Wendy Beckett
• Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 5
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: September 23, 1997
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304563795
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,774 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Video > Boxed Sets > Special Interests > Art & Artists
  #7 in	Video > Documentary > Art & Artists > Painting
  #36 in	Video > Documentary > Art & Artists > Art History

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This BBC series consists of five one-hour cassettes featuring 10 episodes of a masterful odyssey through early art, the Renaissance, and baroque art to romanticism, the age of revolution, and modernism. Lumpy, likable Sister Wendy Beckett guides us on a spirited tour of art through the ages that the entire family can savor and repeatedly enjoy. This woman is a scream--acerbic, astute, and surprisingly earthy. Oh yes, and very, very knowledgeable. Within each 30-minute program are several segments covering much canvas, but always in easily digestible amounts. This is perfect for the artistically deprived, the artfully minded, or anyone with a brain and a sense of humor. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TRULY REMARKABLE AND ENGAGING JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY, August 6, 2000

By A Customer

My husband and I have now seen the full Story of Painting set and Sister WEndy's Conversation with Bill Moyers -- Sister Wendy is one of the most gifted teachers of art history we have encountered. She is masterful in her explanations of the art within the context of the artist's personalities and lives. Her passion for the subject and sense of humor commands your attention. It is impossible not to hang onto her every word and really feel and understand her love of the subject. Nothwithstanding the fact that she omits mention of major historic tragedies(e.g.,the Spanish inquisition)my husband and I both felt we gained a deeper understanding of both art and history as a testimony to the strength of the human spirit. This is a must see!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the World Loves a Lover, July 5, 2002

By	Sammy Jo "sammy_jo" (Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sister Wendy's Story of Painting (Box Set) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Prior to encountering Sr. Wendy, I liked art. Through Sr. Wendy, I have come to love it. One might first be struck by her rather odd appearance -- she is a rather frumpy nun. But the second thing one notices, and what one is ultimately swept up by, is her passion for art.

She approaches art as a lover, rather than as a critic. Yes, she is willing to make judgments about what she likes and what she doesn't like. But one has the impression that she approaches all art expecting to be pleased. That attitude makes her willing to *look* at the art with her whole being. And in that open act of looking, she sees a lot. She has the further gift of being able to clearly articulate what she has seen.

In this series of videos, Sr. Wendy takes us through the history of art, from the pre-historical art of the caves in France to the modern art galleries in New York today. She allows us to see how art developed, and she sets these developments in their historical context. Nonetheless, the heart of these videos and the secret to Sr. Wendy's success is her ability to see these great works afresh, almost with the eyes of a child. Some of the paintings evoke her delight, others her reverent awe. She has thought about why the paintings elicit these responses, but without losing that primary response. We can't help but be swept up in her enthusiasm.

I've watched these videos several times, and they never get stale. If only they'd be re-issued as DVD's! If you want to know why some people make such a fuss about fine art - these videos are a great place to start. But be warned, you might find yourself suddenly planning your vacations around art museums!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the faint of art, September 29, 2001

By	"onedirector" (Balboa Island, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sister Wendy's Story of Painting (Box Set) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I use this set as part of my beginning art history classes. People like to make fun of Sister Wendy and they are less likely to make fun of the art. The fact that she is not a bit shy about pointing out the sexual nature of many of the pieces gets students on her side after awhile. Sister Wendy gives a good comprehensive overview and, although I don't always agree with her, she sets up great conversations in class. Video is a great way to get students to enjoy art--far better in my opinion than the endless parade of slides we had to endure.