BBC art historian and nun Sister Wendy Beckett...1990s dies aged 88

Daily Mail UK ^ | DECEMBER 27, 2018 | Terri-ann Williams For Mailonline

[Morgana]

FULL TITLE: BBC art historian and nun Sister Wendy Beckett who became one of the most unlikely TV stars in the 1990s dies aged 88

BBC presenter Sister Wendy Beckett has died at the age of 88.

The nun presented a whole host of programmes for the broadcaster including a documentary on the history of art.

Her other programmes included Sister Wendy's Odyssey and Sister Wendy's Grand Tour.

BBC journalist David Sillito shared the news and said: 'Sad news. Sister Wendy Beckett, writer, art critic and presenter of a much loved and popular series of BBC programmes about painting has died.'

Beckett was born in South Africa in 1930 and moved to Scotland with her family when she was a child.

She penned a number of books as an art critics and had been nicknamed the 'Art Nun' as she often provided reviews that were deemed accessible to everyone and not just those familiar with the art world.

[Morgana]

RIP Sister Wendy Beckett

[Puppage]

What a great art series she had. I just read where she was self taught. Amazing.

[Chickensoup]

she was terrific

Used her videos and her book to teach my children art history.

[miss marmelstein]

She was great! She and Barbara Woodhouse - The Woodhouse Way - made the 80s and 90s PBS fun.

[KMac1945]

I enjoyed her Art Series!

[knarf]

INTERVIEW w/Charlie Rose

[PGR88]

Glad you posted this. I saw this report last night.

Her shows on Western art are a breath of fresh air. And her “rhotacism” is adorable.

[Chickensoup]

She was self taught, but she went to Oxford and took firsts. British University, at least at the Oxbridge level, one reads and teaches oneself, with tutorial guidance when needed.

[Chickensoup]

Thanks!

[left that other site]

I loved her programs.

RIP, Sister.

[VanDeKoik]

That’s really sad.

I have one of her books, and her TV series was always just a joy to listen to.

[georgia peach]

I loved her enthusiasm.She prayed 7 hours a day.Maybe it came from that.RIP.

[PUGACHEV]

She was amazing. My wife gave me the complete Sister Wendy collection for Christmas one year, and I still re-watch many of the episodes.

[PUGACHEV]

Waldemar Januszczak has a BBC art series somewhat like Sister Wendy's. I asked my Australian son-in-law about Waldemar's accent, which seemed a bit Australian to me. He said it was English, but from somewhere south of London.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[4yearlurker]

I always enjoyed watching her show. She really knew how to explain an old painting and the artist. RIP Sister.