Quest for Genius: Charting the Life and Works of William Dobson |Perspective
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Has one of Britain's greatest artists been unfairly forgotten? Waldemar Januszczak thinks so. In this documentary, Januszczak argues that the little known 17th-century portrait painter William Dobson was the first English painter of genius.
Dobson's life and times are embedded in one of the most turbulent and significant epochs of British history - the English Civil War. As official court painter to Charles I, the tragic British king later beheaded by Parliament, Dobson had a ringside seat to an period of intense drama and conflict. Based in Oxford, where the court was transferred after Parliament took control of London, Dobson produced an astonishing number of high-quality portraits of royalist supporters, heroes and cavaliers which Januszczak believes are the first true examples of British art. As he puts it in the film: 'Dobson's face should be on our banknotes. His name should be on all our lips.'
The film investigates the few known facts about William Dobson and seeks out the personal stories he left behind as it follows him through his tragically short career. When he died in 1646 - penniless, unemployed and a drunk - Dobson was just 36.
Among the Dobson fans interviewed in the film is Earl Spencer, brother of Princess Diana, who agrees wholeheartedly that William Dobson was the first great British painter.
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Hooray for Waldemar. Brings art to life.
Better still, brings life to art
I love how he always has somebody (or himself) filmed next to the painting he's discussing to give a sense of scale so that we can appreciate the sheer size of the durn thing.
I am in awe of his unflagging energy. He doesn't look like a young man by any means. But his brisk pace, his constant walking, his stride that encourages you to keep up with him display a vitality that would seem to flatten people half his age. This ambulatory style makes dry, dull historical events living, breathing moments with places you can visit, stories that engage and long-dead people that you can converse with as if they were standing next to you. He talks to the camera as if to an individual, inviting us to lie down with him and gaze up at glorious ceiling paintings or stay in one spot as he points out a clever visual effect in a painting. The man has done his homework. The man has done his WORK and you can't help but appreciate his efforts.
@@QueenBoadicea Hi, Queen-from a much more humble “Queen “! I agree completely….except every time he does that my arthritic knees start aching, and I worry he’ll have a heart attack.
One o pop out for me on a oops pop pop I posted in a row for looking
Waldemar, is also an artist, he vividly brings to life the artists and the times of the past.
he is the Anthony Bourdain of Art History
He's just great isn't he! So down to earth! I just love his style too! 😆
Best host ever!♥️ Guive him an emmy💪 and a raise🔥 and make him a sir
I like watch this series.
Honestly, what I love about your comment is that cool dudes don’t usually love art. Love that you love it! Thanks for breaking stereotypes.
Lord, give Waldemar credit please. He's trying to educate a general audience about the life, work and artistic times of a largely unknown artist (which was true of me, an artist whose worked for 2 major museums in NY), "an unknown genius"who lived in very turbulent times which also must be somewhat explained as well. And to do all this in just under an hour. This is not an easy task. He touches on Whitehall Palace, a number of Civil War battles, those columns of 'Soloman,' Charles' famed art collection, van Dyke's role at court etc etc etc. Don't expect too detailed a discussion of the laws of composition. Just enjoy this for a very entertaining informative lecture w/wonderfully described images of art and England. And don't be jealous of Waldemar's presenter skills, I've just known him for years in his artistic journalistic pieces in print, this was a pleasant surprise.
Presenter skills!?
His Baroque series was a mess. Kenneth Clark would have beaten him senseless.
I don't think many people would be jealous of his 'presenter skills'. They are more likely to just be put off by his oafishness. There is something rather patronising about the way he seems to think he has to reduce everything to the lowest common denominator to get the attention of a general TV audience. Kenneth Clark never felt the need to treat the audience as though they were morons and his TV art programmes were a great popular success.
Kenneth Clark knew more about art when he was a child than this alleged expert does as a middle aged man. I mean, seriously - that picture of the Prince of Wales doesn't show him "commanding one of the Furies." He's directing MEDUSA at the Roundheads and petrifying them, just like Perseus. Inexcusable sloppiness.
@@JimOverbeckgenius - Not reverential enough fer ye?
I had never taken notice of William Dobson before. Another informative and entertaining video, as usual. Thank you.
I love his wit! He educates anyone at any level. He pours light out upon the forgotten and lost artists who really contributed to history. Beautifully done it helps the viewer to understand the significant contributions of artists who rarely have their names spoken in art classes in high schools and universities. Thank you!
What an unjust treatment of a genius. Thank you Waldemar for telling us the story of William Dobson and introducing us to his amazing art.
I was first introduced to William Dobson and his "Portrait of the artist with Nicholas Lanier and Sir Charles Cotterell" when the Antiques Roadsow visited Castle Alnwick in Northumberland. The art critic described how Cotterell's arm around Dobson was a protective gesture, persuading him to evolve his art rather than succumb to the outdated trends Lanier represented.
Thank you for showing me Dobson. He is a very wonderful painter and yes should be known. In the self portrait with the other two gents I think he looks confident, well liked, strong and very with it. Attractive too! But what a genius painter!
A very talented artist, the portraits are magnificent. The faces of the people Dobson painted are better than that of Rembrand van Rijn (I am Dutch, can't help it to make the comparison). The clear emotional expressions in the faces of all Dobson's portraits are stunning. Nobody could paint eyes like this. The portrait of the sad girl, shown just after the portrait of Eleanor Watson, 53:55, is unique in the history of art. I also like Dobson's portrait backgrounds. Waldemar isn't exaggerating IMHO, William Dobson was a genius, on par with Europe's best artist in this era.
Being honest, eyes aren't that difficult to paint, you get a knack for it. Aside from that, I have to disagree about Rembrandt. Dobson was a genius, but Rembrandt was a transcendent genius. Rembrandt's handling of paint was astonishing and his psychological insight put him up there with the likes of Velazquez and Caravaggio.
You don’t have to knock Rembrandt to praise Dobson….
Ronny Wood is a greater painter than Rembrandt and Dobson
@@Auriflamme I wish you had been there to clue in my instructor to that "reality"....
Another Dutchman who can write better English than 80% of English people...
Just brilliant, I'd never heard of Dobson but his work is astounding and explaining the pictures the way you do makes them come to life
Thank you. Thoroughly enjoyable and I've learned much more about Dobson and the English Civil War. Perhaps his lack of fame in England is a case of art history being written by the victors.
More of this guy
His documentaries got me interested in art
Because I already love history
What a great portrait artist.His flesh tones are magnificent.
admiring so much your passion and perseverance over the years Waldy to share your knowledge with us so creatively , thank you!!
He'll never read this... it's a rip (stolen video).
@@Nezumi66 pllppplplppp ppp
Ooh!, I do loves me some Dobson💗
And I would have to say that perhaps the most I found on Dobson on CZcams was at best about 15 minutes in length, so when this came up I immediately pushed play and got to find out a little more on this fabulous artist
Thank you for this. I have always loved Dobson’s portraits and felt I was alone in this. Infinitely better than Sir Peter Lely.
I need more Waldemar ! Thank you so much for posting!
He's done many similar videos on art subjects.
This video, worthy of a high-level historical documentary, is so captivating that it was impossible for me to interrupt it for a coffee break! This sacred Mr. Waldemar makes his quest particularly alive that we have the impression of living this troubled period of English history glued to one's armchair for an hour of pure entertainment ! Hats off to the artist !
Tank you for posting this film and special thanks to Waldemar for his wonderful skill of presenting the material so that it really touches our hearts.
OMG I have literally watched every single art related documentary available ANYWHERE online. I’m so GLAD I discovered this gem of a channel!! Keep the, coming please and thank you!
Yes the presenter is irritating
Thankyou again, Waldemar, for your brilliant presentation, furthering the education, at 78, of this ever-admiring and ever grateful English student of everything worthwhile in our culture.
Great video about a sadly underrated artist
I truly appreciate how you go above and beyond for us, the planning timing research and coordination you put into each show is absolutely over the top, I can’t imagine the months it takes just to give us an hour long show. I truly appreciate and respect you so much, thank you.
These wonderful documentaries by Waldemar can turn any ignorant heathen into a lover of art. I'm a fine example.
I am a painter and a huge fan of this brilliant filmmaker and art lover. Well done Waldemar!!
Absolutely wonderful, thank you. A huge dollop of interesting history as well as the fascinating Dobson himself.
This is the first I heard of W. Dobson, thanks to Waldemar and shame on me. How wonderfully lively our guide speaks of Dobson and through his story the forgotten painter received some ( long overdue) fame after all.
hank you, Waldemar, for this poignant, bittersweet story. I'm so glad to have heard & seen it. We've shed a tear for forgotten greatness in a painful time.
FANTASTIC documentary !!!
Great presentation of William Dobson’s brilliant art during England’s Civil War. All spoiled by You Tube’s ridiculous, incessant ads.
Same here: I recommend a finger on the volume-mute, and a background application with a screen-size to match the youTube display, to alt-Tab to the foreground while the ad(s) play..
I don't know if I would have "hung around" without this channel
I learn so much from Perspective. Thank you Januszczak
These paintings are incredible! The textures in these works is impressively maticulous!
Brilliant interweaving of harsh history and a tragical life - O, silly Dobson, you were on the wrong side of the Tide of History!
thanks so much for u/l these. i've been hungering for some good art related progs. kudos
What an absolutely excellent video--you said that Dobson and the English Civil War would be inseparably intertwined, but the depths to which this was the case really blew mind. Thanks once more for the deep dive into the research, the windows into the art, and a glimpse of Dobson's, and even his subjects', personalities.
It's only through this programme that I came to know of William Dobson and to love his work. I think if should be compulsory viewing for eveyone who is studying Art History. Thank you Waldemar.
Outstanding. Thanks for posting.
Excellent again!!
Thank you sir. Your work is excellent and most important.
Well done! You vids are both informative and entertaining. Crack on!
Wonderful, as always. My only quibble concerns Dobson's portrait of the first Baron Byron. I was dying to know why Dobson painted that black line across the left cheek. The only thing I could find through internet searches is that seemingly Byron wore a patch to cover a scar (perhaps the halberd scar?).
Wonderful.
Fascinating. Loved it.
I really enjoyed this docco. My maiden name is Dobson and all my ancestors are all in England and I’d like to think I’m a relative of some kind to this man.
Nicholas Lanier in that painting reminded me of Robert Plant in old age. Interesting both were musicians and singers.
💖💜💛💚 your work. Informative and witty!
Very good...hopefully he'll keep it up!
I've learned so much, thank you.
Thank you ! Wonderful
definitely worth re-watching often!! well, for me as I was born in the UK and paint epic oil paintings etc!
Long live William Dobson! Thanks Waldemar.
of course the really amazing thing is that any of this artwork has survived, considering the puritans hatred of anything royal
Found this fascinating. Thanks
One of your best!
Thank you.
Facscinating stuff. Thank you Waldemar
I love these stories about Artists lives from history. How wonderfully they painted with a lot of sentimental soul making a strong statement of there presence through Art. Modern Art seems to lack the earthy human side of Art. It reflects a very disposable plastic existence with not much substance very much alienated from nature.
Bravo!
Excellent. I didn't mean to watch it all, but I did.
Hello William Dobson! Thank you.
I have enjoyed this program very much
I love this series
Had you not banged on about him, many including me, would no nothing of him still....great doc...!!!
Such a wonderful episode!
excellent!
Well done!
'The Gates Of Heaven will always be closed to the Morris Dancers' - and Prynne didn't even know about the traffic chaos they caused in market towns across England in the 1970's...
What a mind! The writers are outstanding
14:48 and even now, almost 400 years later, the gates of Heaven are still closed for the Morris dancer.
This interesting ,funny,colorful, and not only Art but also History
I admire you very much, Mr Januszczak.
About not being able to feel history, I must strongly object! I feel it at times so strongly that I can’t bear to learn about it, and WWI is one of those times. I began reading Barbara Tuchman’s book on that war, “The Guns of August,” and was so sickened by the ghastly spectacle and the stupidity of the politicians who started it and the rank stupidity of the generals, that I never finished the book and have never researched the war. I’ve had several other heart sickening experiences, but I will use only one.
I like how much you love painting
You even look at it
Waldemars comment “it’s a great painting but, lousy prediction” (absolutely brilliant)
Waldermir's masterpiece works of art, his art videos! Through his lens the sap flows greening old art with the relevancy of human connection.
Apart from him forgetting about the almost dangerously busty maids in the work of English artist nathaniel bacon when he talks about how dobson represents his wife this documentary is amazing and extremely informative.
I could listen to Waldemar describe almost anything.
Dobson is without a doubt one of historys best artist.
I have heard of most of these great painters but never new about their life
Luminous
"Here's a tear for those who love me
And a smile for those who hate
And what 'er star's above me
Here's a heart for every fate."
--Lord Byron
Is the 'Bloody (Baron) Byron' the basis for the👻 Bloody Baron of Harry Potter fame🧙♀️? The Slytherin house ghost stories & description fit. 🤔
Love him. He is the best
Valdemar. You are the Cennini of the 21th Century. Il Libro dell' Arte.
Mercurius Aulicus: Marvelous piece on a sadly underrated painter. Shame about the over intrusive adds though but still.
I love that Waldemar chose the virtuous snack.
very entertaining! I got the feeling like it was a scifi show where someone from our time changed the past to add themselves into it!
Wittgenstein said that genius was"talent exercised with courage". By that standard, Dobson was a genius.
The Dobson Painting of the young Prince Charles II at the battle of Edgehill was originally supposed to be full length. The mad fury at the bottom left would have been a full body. The proportions of the painting would have been a golden rectangle.
in sixteen hundred and forty-four !! Is so catchy, Haha...
now this is what i call high class art, real skill, regardless of the subject
14:48 and even now, almost 400 years later, the gates of Heaven are still closed for the Morris dancer.
Another excellent documentary. Unusually, though, this one was interrupted by ads every 3 minutes or so - the only one from the 'Perspective' series to be 'chopped-up' in this way.
"I've stomped through the stately homes of Britian..." Yes, I believe 'stomp' is exactly the right word. :D
The invaluable insights in this content have dramatically reshaped my approach to life. A book I read with like themes was pivotal in my personal and intellectual development. "Adapting with Aging" by Various Authors
I disagree with his interpretation of the William Lawes painting @48:18. I believe the the 'bust' represents a sad Charles asking forgiveness for the death of Lawes. The hand on his head represents the forgiveness.
The irony of misspelling "genius" in the title.
Ah, but so much agree with the great poet Lord Byron. "Sorry" translates into french as "desolé" (same roots as desolation). "Sorry" is an epidemic in our society of 'sorry people'. Once said, no turning back for consolation... however, "pardon me" or "excuse me" opens the likelihood that one will obtain the natural human generosity of being pardoned or excused. Poets understand the power of words going back to John 1 : "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Words not only describe us, but we define our lives with words. Vocabulary is a divisive point that distinguishes man from beast.
Series: Baroque! From St Peter's to St Paul's (2009)
Episode 1: “The Birth of Baroque (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary) | Perspective”
Original title: “The Birth of the Baroque”
Episode 2: “Baroque's Dark Heart (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary) | Perspective”
Original title: “Baroque’s Dark Heart”
Episode 3: “St. Paul’s Cathedral: The Baroque Wonder (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary) | Perspective”
Original title: “Designing St Paul’s Cathedral”
Related: “William Dobson: The Forgotten Genious _[sic]_ (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary) | Perspective”