The Art of Us: A Guide to the Masterpieces in the TV Series

You don’t need a European vacation to feast your eyes on works of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Miro and more—here’s your guide to the art appearing in Us, the hilarious and heartbreaking dramedy starring Tom Hollander and Saskia Reeves. Keep an eye out for the masterpieces you’ll see in this MASTERPIECE, based on David Nichols’ bestselling novel. Missed Us or want to watch it again? Stream the entire miniseries with PBS Passport, an added member benefit.

  1. 1.

    The Louvre: The Raft of the Medusa, Théodore Géricault (1791-1824)

    This 1819 painting by Théodore Géricault depicts the harrowing aftermath of the 1816 shipwreck of the French Royal Navy frigate Medusa off the coast of Senegal, as victims struggle to survive.

    Learn more about the painting and the “Red Rooms,” home to some of the Louvre’s largest paintings.

  2. 2.

    The Louvre: The Seasons, Guisueppe Arcimboldo (1526-1593)

    The four paintings (clockwise from top left: Spring, Summer, Winter, Autumn) by Guisueppe Arcimboldo were created in 1563 and presented to celebrate the reign of Hapsburg Emperor Maximilian II, for whom the Milan native served as court painter.

    Learn more from the National Gallery of Art about The Seasons and Arcimboldo’s other witty composite portraits.

  3. 3.

    Rijksmuseum: The Night Watch, Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)

    The Night Watch, Rembrandt van Rijn

    In Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum hangs Rembrandt’s largest and possibly most famous painting, The Night Watch (1642).

    Discover the fascinating history of this masterpiece and the ambitious restoration that’s taking place in the museum’s Operation Nightwatch.

  4. 4.

    Rijksmuseum: The Milkmaid, Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675)

    The Milkmaid, Johannes Vermeer

    A moment of stillness and a play of light feature in The Milkmaid (c. 1660) by Johannes Vermeer.

    Learn more about this masterpiece of the Dutch Golden Age.

  5. 5.

    Rijksmuseum: The Jewish Bride, Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)

    The Jewish Bride, Rembrandt van Rijn

    Rembrandt’s enigmatic 1667 painting was once believed to picture a Jewish father giving his daughter a necklace on her wedding day, but it’s currently understood to be a depiction of the Old Testament couple Isaac and Rebecca.

    Discover more about this master work of a mature Rembrandt, and the surprising reaction of Vincent Van Gogh upon seeing the painting for the first time.

  6. 6.

    Miro Foundation, Barcelona: The gold of the azure, Joan Miro (1893-1983)

    The gold of the azure, Joan Miro

    Miro’s 1967 abstract expressionist work hangs in the Miro Foundation in Barcelona. On the back of the canvas, Miro wrote, “La première étincelle du jour” (The first spark of the day).

    Find out more about this work of art.

  7. 7.

    National Gallery, London: Bacchus and Ariadne, Titian (1490-1576)

    Bacchus and Ariadne, Titian

    Titian’s Renaissance masterpiece (1520-23) depicts the moment of Bacchus’ love at first sight, as inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

    Discover details and insights about the painting from the National Gallery.

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