Everything you need to know about art

 

About Great Art Explained

James Payne is a curator, gallerist and passionate art lover on a mission to demystify art and discover the stories behind the world’s greatest paintings and sculptures.

Great Art Explained is a video series that focuses on one piece of art per episode, breaking it down, using clear and concise language free of 'art-speak'.

Great Books Explained is his other channel, that also seeks to demystify the language of Book analysis, and promote literature.

In October 2025, Great Art Explained: the Book, is released worldwide, described by Stephen Fry as “an instant classic”.

Resources

  • Art history

    The original series. This is a library of short videos (with some lengthier ones). Heavily researched, and lavishly illustrated, a new video is released once a month.

    Learn about art

  • Art cities

    James teams up with travel writer Joanne Shurvell, to produce this offshoot series which explores his love of art and travel. A new video is released every three months.

    Discover art cities

  • Articles

    Here are articles that James writes about art.

    Read the articles
 
 

Great Art Explained in print

James Payne has recently signed a book deal with the publisher Thames & Hudson to be based on his YouTube channel. Details to be announced.