Search - Landmarks of Western Art: The Late Medieval World- A Journey of Art History Across the Ages on DVD

Let's actually watch the video before reviewing

Volunteer of America | Austin, Texas | 06/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For the record, this is a perfectly sound, well researched and very well illustrated (with art and architecture) review of the period. The accompanying music is atmospheric. Insight is provided into the medieval mind, and there is sensible consideration of artistic methods, as well as historical and social elements. There is certainly no egregious error or misstatement; it's a pleasant film, and touches on as many significant areas as can be expected from a survey of this length. The on-camera experts certainly seem qualified.

Now, to address the review by Winefred's Well: while it's true that reviews on Amazon are often used to vent (as in my review of Tom DeLay's detestable - and pathetic - excuses in No Retreat, No Surrender) it seems appropriate to adopt a more academic tone when reviewing documentaries; a process which might be expected to include seeing the film before commenting.

Van Eyck not Medieval? Well, he was born "around 1390"; let's see, 1415, Battle of Agincourt, hardly the Renaissance. Late Middle Ages certainly, but not an outrageous description by any means. Dark Ages as a historical term? When God and his saints slept? I received a degree in history from a major English university, and my instructors certainly used that term. Oh, so Ireland wasn't participating in that period of crime and ignorance? THAT sounds like a fairy tale.

The reviewer's comments may be accompanying a belief that the world began in 4000 BC. She'll like that Creation Museum!"

Pretty good coverage of late medieval art

R. Bagula | Lakeside, Ca United States | 05/21/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The 12th century seems to have been the beginning of an era of change for Europe with the crusades.
The video has pretty good coverage of late medieval art with fresco, perspective, architecture,styles and early oil painting.
The treatment of shading and life drawing could probably be better.
I'd say it was a good review and you get how to pronounce of the names
which doesn't come from just reading books about art history.
This one ends at about the time of Da Vinci.
I liked it, even with the British high tone curator lectures."