Rolf on Art

Infobox Television
bgcolour = #D0BC9B
show_name = Rolf on Art


caption = Image of Rolf from The Big Event
format = Art
runtime = 30 min. per episode
starring = Rolf Harris
language = English
network = BBC
first_aired = 2001
num_series = 5
num_specials = 4
num_episodes = 28
website = http://www.rolfharris.com/tv/rolfonart1.htm
imdb_id = 0300846

"Rolf on Art" is a successful British Art television series made by the BBC. It was hosted by Rolf Harris, the Australian television presenter. The series began in 2001, and has consistently run from then on. It has been more successful that Rolf's other art programme "Star Portraits with Rolf Harris", which was released after the success of "Rolf on Art".

Each episode revolved around Rolf looking at a various notable artist from history, and both investigating their life as well as imitating their style of art.

Rolf's Style

Unlike many other art presenters, Rolf doesn't just look and talk about an artists work, he creates works in their own style. This is a key part of the shows' success. For each episode, he usually does two pictures in their style, usually in the same place where they would do their works. Some episodes were big events, which were held in a big public place, such as in Trafalgar Square in London. Rolf presented these but many (celebrities and the public) helped to paint.

Episodes

eries One - "The Impressionists"

In the first series, Rolf looked at the Impressionists, a group he has a great affinity for:
# Claude Monet
# Edgar Degas
# Vincent Van Gogh
# Paul Gauguin

eries Two - "The Post-Impressionists"

In the second series, he looked at several artists who worked around and after the time of the Impressionists, but were not Impressionists.
# Henri Rousseau - the French painter of 2D Jungle scenes.
# Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec - the French painter of the Moulin Rouge.
# Gustav Klimt - the artist who worked in gold leaf.
# Auguste Rodin - the famous sculptor

eries Three - "20th Century Masters"

# L.S. Lowry - the British painter famous for his stick men style.
# Salvador Dalí - the most famous Surrealist.
# Pablo Picasso - the famous Cubist.
# Paul Cézanne
# Marc Chagall - the painter of love scenes.
# Andy Warhol - the famous Pop artist.

eries Four - "Old Masters"

# The Big Event ~ John Constable
# Rembrandt van Rijn
# Sandro Botticelli
# J.M.W. Turner
# Bruegal

"The Christmas Special"

In this special, Rolf looked at Christmas card making.

"The Africa Special"

Rolf goes on a tour of Africa, looking at different styles on African art, including rock art, Makonde wood carving and Benin bronzes. It was released to coincide with the Live 8 festival and the series of programs about Africa.

eries Five - "Old Masters"

# The Big Event ~ Leonardo Da Vinci
# Thomas Gainsborough
# Vermeer
# Goya
# The Big Event ~ Hans Holbein

"Special - The Queen, by Rolf"

In this special, aired in late 2005, Rolf Harris painted the Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II. It was highly publicised because the Queen was never seen on such a program before. In it, Rolf goes to Buckingham Palace where he meets the Queen and paints her in an impressionist style. It can be debated as to whether this was a part of the 'Rolf on Art' series, because it does not contain the title sequence or 'Rolf on Art' in the title. However, it was advertised as a 'Rolf on Art' special.

"Special - Rolf on Lowry"

A one off special, aired on 4 March 2007, where Rolf looked followed in the footsteps of the painter L.S. Lowry. This is different from the season three episode on Lowry.

"Special - Rolf on Beatrix Potter"

A one off special, aired on 30 December 2007. Rolf looked at the illustrator Beatrix Potter.

The Book

A Rolf on Art book was released for the first series. It contained sections on how he worked, as well as a section on each of the artists he looked at in the series. It was released again in an updated version for the second series.

External links

*bbc.co.uk|id=rolfonart|title="Rolf on Art"
* [http://www.rolfharris.com/tv/rolfonart1.htm/ The Official Site] ------