William Kloss

Deserves six or seven stars -- not just five. Gloss's survey of European art is riveting from start to finish, driven by his soothing but passionate delivery. Some may think there is much too much focus on early painting and on an endless series of annunciations, crucifixions, depositions, and other scenes from the Bible. But for a non-religious person such as myself, Kloss's explications of these paintings make them understandable for the first time. There is so much detail that goes unnoticed without an experienced guide. This will not make you a believer, but it does provide a deeper understanding of just how seriously the artists and their patrons took these subjects. As in any course like this, there will be times when you wish Kloss lingered on a particular painter longer--for me it would be Dali--but there is nothing included here that should have been left out. Once I started watching these 48 half-hour lectures, I could't stop, and finished the course in about a week. This is, of course, much more than watching someone lecture. The paintings, sculpture, engravings, and architecture are all presented in excellent detail, with close-ups of the important elements Kloss is describing. This was truly the art education I was lacking, and I can't wait to watch other similar courses. This is a must-have.… (mere)