The Great Epochs of European Art

1/8/1989

A journey through the monumental architecture and refined decorative arts of ancient Rome. It examines engineering achievements, imperial imagery, and the artistic legacy that spread across the Roman Empire.

1/15/1989

A study of early Christian and Byzantine visual culture, focusing on mosaics, icons, and sacred architecture. The episode reveals how spirituality and symbolism defined the art of the Eastern Empire.

1/22/1989

An exploration of the Romanesque period, marked by massive churches, expressive sculpture, and a deeply religious visual language that dominated Europe in the 11th and 12th centuries.

1/29/1989

A look at the rise of Gothic cathedrals, the pointed arch, stained glass, and the pursuit of light and verticality. This episode shows how medieval Europe transformed architecture and artistic expression.

2/5/1989

A survey of the rebirth of classical ideals in Italy and Europe. Featuring masters such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael, it presents a new vision of humanity, nature, and artistic innovation.

2/12/1989

An examination of the dramatic, emotional, and theatrical style of the Baroque era. From Caravaggio’s intense realism to Bernini’s dynamic sculptures, the episode reveals art shaped by power and faith.

2/19/1989

A portrait of the refined and ornate Rococo style, with its elegant interiors, playful themes, and aristocratic taste. The episode highlights French and German contributions to this decorative movement.

2/26/1989

A journey through Romanticism, Realism, and Impressionism, showing how industrialization, social change, and new ideas transformed European art during the 1800s.

3/5/1989

An overview of the revolutionary artistic movements of the modern era: Expressionism, Cubism, abstraction, and the avant‑garde. The episode explores how the very definition of art was reimagined.