Season 1

The young artist enters into the bohemian cafe society of 19th-century Paris, meeting the contemporaries with whom he is to found a new artistic movement, only for revolution to tear the group apart.

Waldemar Januszczak continues his investigation of the Impressionists by taking us outdoors to their most famous locations. Although Impressionist pictures often look sunny and relaxed, achieving this peaceful air was hard work.

Cezanne is forced to lead a double life with his mistress and secret child, and refuses to compromise his vision in the face of vitriol from both the critics and a close friend. Manet receives the Legion d'Honneur, but his health is failing fast. Monet embarks on a successful tour of Europe, but decides that what he really wants is to return to his beloved Alice - and the lilies that will fascinate him for the rest of his life.