The Post-Impressionists

In 1893, a Norwegian artist created a masterpiece which became a defining image of the 20th Century. The Scream is a picture whose sense of anguish reveals much about our own lives, as well as the life of its creator. All his life, Edvard Munch suffered the consequences of a childhood surrounded by madness and death. By middle-age, his own being broke down completely. But by then, his pictures and prints had gained him fame across Europe. As a young man, Munch left Norway to live the Bohemian life. He developed a passion for the greatest contemporary art of the Post-Impressionist age, and his own mature work reflected the influence of Seurat, Gauguin and Van Gogh, amongst others.

Henri Rousseau`s unique, fantastical paintings led the way to surrealism, even though they were not appreciated during his own lifetime. Learn all about this great painter in this special profile, featuring expert commentary and on-location footage. Henri Rousseau was a true amateur. His professional life was spent working as a customs official. But in his spare time, he painted and was utterly convinced of the greatness of his art, despite his complete lack of formal training. Although he was heavily criticized by many for his use of brightly colored images and child-like techniques, he did bring a sense of vitality, charm and innocence to his painting.

Paul Gauguin was thirty-five when he made the momentous decision to abandon his lucrative career as a Paris stockbroker and devote himself full-time to painting. Gauguin’s bold use of flat, unmixed colour gave his paintings a strong sense of personal expression, but his work struggled to find acceptance at the time. Poverty and obscurity dominated Gauguin’s years as an artist. Not even a move to Tahiti could bring him happiness. Yet the paintings that the created there are now recognized as masterpieces of the Post-Impressionist age.

Details the illustrations and paintings created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in late 19th century Paris. Toulouse-Lautrec is probably best know for capturing the nightlife of Montmartre, as displayed in such pieces as La Goulue at the Moulin Rouge. Released in 2001, the program runs 50 minutes. The other videos in the set are Post-Impressionists: Gauguin, Post-Impressionists: Cézanne, Post-Impressionists: Van Gogh, Post-Impressionists: Munch, and Post-Impressionists: Rousseau.

Post-Impressionists: Van Gogh focuses on the short, tortured life of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. Though he committed suicide before the age of 40, Van Gogh left behind some of the most remarkable and sought-after paintings in the world, including Starry Night and The Potato Eaters.

Post-Impressionists: Cézanne offers a glimpse at the techniques and style of Paul Cézanne, which prompted the world to refer to him as the "father of modern painting."