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But while some programmes had a field day with the self-mutilation
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Art on the BBC

But while some programmes had a Ask anyone, "Who'syour idea of the tortured artist, "the...

But while some programmes had a
field day with the self-mutilation, others weren't so sure. SIMON SCHAMA: Ask anyone, "Who's
your idea of the tortured artist, "the mad genius?", chances are
you'll get one answer and just one answer - "Vincent van Gogh.
Sliced his ear off, didn't he?" Well, no, actually, he didn't. What he did do was cut off
a fleshy chunk of ear lobe. Oh, I know, I know, that's enough
to suggest he is barmy, isn't it? And when he eventually did
shoot himself, there was bound to be a chorus of,
"Well, yes, he would, wouldn't he?"

Full Transcript

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.008
But while some programmes had a field day with the self-mutilation,
00:00:04.008 --> 00:00:07.036
others weren't so sure.
00:00:07.036 --> 00:00:11.056
SIMON SCHAMA: Ask anyone, "Who's your idea of the tortured artist,
00:00:11.056 --> 00:00:16.076
"the mad genius?", chances are you'll get one answer and just one
00:00:16.076 --> 00:00:21.036
answer - "Vincent van Gogh. Sliced his ear off, didn't he?"
00:00:21.036 --> 00:00:23.096
Well, no, actually, he didn't.
00:00:23.096 --> 00:00:27.036
What he did do was cut off a fleshy chunk of ear lobe.
00:00:27.036 --> 00:00:31.012
Oh, I know, I know, that's enough to suggest he is barmy, isn't it?
00:00:31.012 --> 00:00:33.068
And when he eventually did shoot himself,
00:00:33.068 --> 00:00:37.068
there was bound to be a chorus of, "Well, yes, he would, wouldn't he?"
Duration
38 seconds
Views
34
Timestamp in Movie
00:35:12
Uploaded
Jun 07, 2025
Season
2
Episode
2
Genres
documentary

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Movie Summary

Four young British art historians delve into six decades of the BBC archives to discover the powerful way in which television influences our understanding of the world's greatest artists.
S02 • E01 The Americans fell in love with his paintings and, of course, - Art on the BBC 00:23
The Americans fell in love with his paintings and, of course...
S02 • E01 The portraits depict the elite of American society - Art on the BBC 00:53
The portraits depict the elite of American society
S02 • E04 This is his picture of a factory in the West Midlands. - Art on the BBC 00:51
This is his picture of a factory in the West Midlands.
S02 • E01 They seem to be at a gambling house, - Art on the BBC 00:46
They seem to be at a gambling house,
S02 • E03 But intriguingly, back in 1999, the year of mass Monet mania, - Art on the BBC 00:55
But intriguingly, back in 1999, the year of mass Monet mania...
S02 • E01 Actually, I wanted the dream sequences - Art on the BBC 00:28
Actually, I wanted the dream sequences
S02 • E03 Monet was not a religious man and Andrew conveys - Art on the BBC 00:50
Monet was not a religious man and Andrew conveys
S02 • E02 Van Gogh's mind fascinates us. For decades, we've considered him - Art on the BBC 00:21
Van Gogh's mind fascinates us. For decades, we've ...
S02 • E03 In an act of painterly transubstantiation, Monet turns - Art on the BBC 00:17
In an act of painterly transubstantiation, Monet turns
S02 • E03 I think Simon's making a really interesting point here, which speaks - Art on the BBC 00:58
I think Simon's making a really interesting point here,...
S02 • E04 Just imagine what this would've been like for Turner. - Art on the BBC 00:21
Just imagine what this would've been like for Turner.
S02 • E04 Rain, Steam and Speed, - Art on the BBC 00:18
Rain, Steam and Speed,
S02 • E03 In the last quarter of his life, Monet focused his attention - Art on the BBC 00:22
In the last quarter of his life, Monet focused his attention
S02 • E02 Six years later, Sir David Piper strengthened that link - Art on the BBC 00:55
Six years later, Sir David Piper strengthened that link
S02 • E03 These vast, near-abstract water landscapes were punctuated - Art on the BBC 00:10
These vast, near-abstract water landscapes were punctuated
S02 • E02 Years ago, when I was first considering the self-portraits as a - Art on the BBC 00:55
Years ago, when I was first considering the self-portraits a...
S02 • E01 After America, Dali and Gala returned to Portlligat - Art on the BBC 00:58
After America, Dali and Gala returned to Portlligat
S02 • E03 And as he finally returned to begin work on his panoramic - Art on the BBC 00:12
And as he finally returned to begin work on his panoramic
S02 • E03 The guns could be heard in Giverny, - Art on the BBC 00:50
The guns could be heard in Giverny,
S02 • E02 In 1990, Linus Roache plays Vincent caught up in a frenzied state, - Art on the BBC 00:28
In 1990, Linus Roache plays Vincent caught up in a frenzied ...