The Art Mysteries

Painted soon after he cut off his ear with a razor, Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear is one of his most celebrated works. But how much do we really know about it? In this fascinating BBC arts documentary, historian Waldemar Januszczak delves into the clues hidden in the painting. The result is a tale of geishas, brothels, bullfights, love affairs, suffering and a powerful secret message.

Seurat’s Les Poseuses is one of his least-known paintings, but also one of his most vital. It’s full of codes and hidden meanings. It shows three nudes in the artist’s studio, but included in the background is one of Seurat’s most famous masterpieces. Why is it there? In this BBC arts documentary, Waldemar Januszczak tries to unearth the truth and investigates the artist’s unique creativity.

The Vision After the Sermon is a painting full of strange symbolism and Biblical mystery. In this BBC documentary, art expert Waldemar Januszczak attempts to reveal all as he investigates Gauguin’s epic religious painting concerning good, evil, temptation and desire. But what does this famous work have to do with a 17-year-old girl called Madeleine, Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables and sumo wrestlers?

The Card Players is one of Cezanne’s best-known pictures, but also one of his most mysterious. Why did the so-called father of modern art paint two old men playing cards? By exploring Cezanne’s puzzling religious beliefs and passion for Mary Magdalene, in this BBC art documentary Waldemar Januszczak uncovers the surprising secrets of a haunting masterpiece. What is the painting trying to tell us?