Feuerfest

Channels to follow

Welcome to a new series in this blog: CTF. No, not capture the flag. Channels to follow. I'll use this series to present various accounts, channels, websites, etc. which are worthy to visit from time to time, or even leave a follow/subscribe. As over the years I accumulated a small list of channels with interesting which are not that much known to the wider Internet. At least based on the feedback I get when I mention them in conversations.

And today I'd like to present to you: Great Art Explained (on YouTube)

The channels description (https://www.youtube.com/@GreatArtExplained) reads as following:

I'm James Payne, a curator, gallerist, and a passionate art lover. I am on a mission to demystify the art world and discover the stories behind the world’s greatest paintings and sculptures. Each episode will focus on one piece of art and break it down, using clear and concise language free of 'art-speak'.

James Payne, @GreatArtExplained

I don't remember clearly how I discovered his channel but what I do remember is that I had a fascinating saturday afternoon listening to him for a good hour explaining The Garden of Earthly Delights by Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch.

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Garden_of_earthly_delights.jpg

I was blown away by the incredible detail in the painting! One can't imagine just how much thought went into it. How every part of the painting is arranged with care. Telling a different part of the story.

Truth to be told: I don't really have a grasp on the world of art. Yes, I know the big painters, maybe some smaller ones. Heard of all the important paintings and that they are valued at millions of US-$, but apart from that? Do I know, really know and understand why this painting is to valuable? Especially culturally? In 99,9% of cases plain and simple: No.

After watching the video, I could see why this painting is so great. And I like it when I learn new things that make me see the wider world in a different way.

In case you prefer something to read, James has also written a book: Great Art Explained: The Stories Behind the World's Greatest Masterpieces (Amazon) and for my German speaking readers: It's also available in German: Meisterwerke der Kunst – großartig erklärt: Was hinter den bedeutendsten Kunstwerken der Welt steckt und wie man sie entschlüsselt (Amazon)

And if you really dislike art but solely enjoy books? James also got the channel Great Books Explained (https://www.youtube.com/@greatbooksexplained371) in which he does exactly the same as in his other channel, but for books.