The Cultural History of the Western World [2 Discs] [DVD]

This box set offers a series of documentaries on the greatest cultural movements in human history, particularly as they fostered the most legendary art, literature, and music that mankind has ever produced. The collection begins with The Medieval World - which opens with an examination of the Crusades, and then segues into discussions of medieval art, The Books of Hours, the concept of chilvalry, and the writings of Dante, Boccaccio and others. Next up is The Renaissance - a discussion of Da Vinci, Shakespeare, John Milton and others. Then comes The Baroque - which touches on such painters as Caravaggio, Bernini, Rembrandt and Vermeer, and discusses the music of Vivaldi. The fourth installment, The Age of Reason, examines the music of W.A. Mozart; the paintings of Reynolds, David, Copley and others; and the cultural impact of the American Revolution. The fifth segment, The Age of Revolution, examines Romantic poetry and reflects on such painters as Goya, Delacroix, Gericault and others. Finally, A New Vision - Impressionism touches on subjects including the impressionist painters, the literature of Charlotte Bronte and the music of Johannes Brahms, then discusses the cultural ramifications of the Suffragette movement.