Watch The World's Greatest Paintings

The World's Greatest Paintings is an enlightening art series that allows viewers to discover and appreciate the world's most remarkable paintings with a fresh perspective. The show is produced by BBC Select, a streaming platform that curates thought-provoking documentaries, biographies, and series from around the world.

The show's creators delve into the history of painting and its evolution from ancient times through modern-day. The World's Greatest Paintings is more than just a showcase of famous paintings; it is a voyage through the artistic movements that shaped our world.

Throughout the series, viewers are taken on a journey that explores the artists' methods and techniques, the stories behind their creations, and the social and cultural context in which they were made. The show features commentary from art experts who share their insights on the art and the artists who created them.

The World's Greatest Paintings showcases masterpieces from different periods in history, including the Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanticism. The series takes viewers inside some of the world's most prestigious art galleries such as the Louvre in Paris, The National Gallery in London, The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and many others.

The first episode of the series examines the works of the iconic Renaissance artist, Leonardo da Vinci. The episode sheds light on how da Vinci's masterpieces such as Mona Lisa and The Last Supper inspired a new class of artists, fuelling the Italian Renaissance. The episode also goes behind the scenes and explores the techniques used by da Vinci in creating his artworks.

The show's second episode is dedicated to the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. Vermeer is well known for his meticulous attention to detail in his paintings, and the episode focuses on his most famous painting, 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'. The painting is one of the most replicated and reinterpreted artworks in history, and the episode delves into its historical significance and its cultural impact.

The third episode of the series explores the world of the Romanticism movement, which emerged in the late eighteenth century. Romanticism is a broad artistic and intellectual movement that focuses on emotion, individualism, and the celebration of the natural world. The episode familiarizes viewers with three significant romantic painters; Turner, Constable, and Gericault.

The series' fourth episode tells the story of the Spanish Baroque painter, Diego Velazquez. Velazquez was appointed as the official court painter to King Philip IV of Spain, and his artworks became some of the most celebrated and valuable pieces of that period. The series showcases some of his famous works, including 'The Surrender of Breda' and 'Las Embarcaciones'.

The final episode of the series reviews the Pre-Raphaelite movement which emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in England. The Pre-Raphaelites were a group of artists that rejected the conventional Victorian art and, instead focused on realism and nature. The episode highlights the works of the most renowned Pre-Raphaelite painters such as John Everett Millais, William Holman Hunt, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Overall, The World's Greatest Paintings is an excellent art series that provides a new perspective and appreciation for some of the world's most remarkable paintings. The show's commentary, coupled with stunning visuals and excellent production, provides a comprehensive and engaging tour of art history. The series is a must-watch for anyone who has an appreciation for art and its impact on our world.

The World's Greatest Paintings is a series that ran for 1 seasons (10 episodes) between and on BBC Select