Januszczak was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire, to Polish refugees who had arrived in England after the Second World War.
After studying history of art at the University of Manchester, Januszczak became an art critic – and then arts editor – of The Guardian. In 1990 he was appointed head of arts at the UK's Channel 4 television and in 1992 he became art critic for The Sunday Times. He has been voted Critic of the Year twice by the Press Association.
Januszczak has been described as "a passionate art lover, art critic and writer. His presentation style is casual but informed, enthusiastic, evocative and humorous. He bumbles about on our TV screens, doing for art what David Attenborough has done for the natural world," and someone who acts out of "a refusal to present art as elitist in any way. He makes it utterly accessible and understandable."
Known For
Art's Wildest Movement: Mannerism
Self · (3 episodes)
2024
The Mystery of the Nativity
2022
Boy Bitten by a Lizard by Caravaggio
Self - Presenter
2022
Waldemar Januszcak: My Ukrainian Journey
Self
2022
Borromini: The Dark Side of Baroque
Himself
2022
The Art Mysteries with Waldemar Januszczak
Host, Narrator · (4 episodes)
2020
Handmade in Bolton
Narrator · (4 episodes)
2019
Big Sky, Big Dreams, Big Art: Made in the USA
Host, Narrator · (3 episodes)
2018
Mary Magdalene: Art's Scarlet Woman
Presenter
2017
The Renaissance Unchained
Self - Presenter · (4 episodes)
2016
Holbein: Eye of the Tudors
Himself
2015
Rubens: An Extra Large Story
Presenter
2015
Rococo: Travel, Pleasure, Madness
Host, Narrator · (3 episodes)
2014
The Dark Ages: An Age of Light
Self - Presenter · (4 episodes)
2012
Here Comes the Summer: The Undertones Story
Himself
2012
The Impressionists: Painting and Revolution
Himself · (4 episodes)
2011
Celebrity Antiques Road Trip
Self - Participant · (1 episode)
2011
The Lost Genius of British Art: William Dobson
2011
William Dobson: The Lost Genius of Baroque
Presenter
2011
Understanding Art: Impressionism
Self - Host · (4 episodes)
2011
Ugly Beauty
2010
B movie
Himself
2009
Manet: The Man Who Invented Modern Art
Narrator
2009
Baroque! From St Peter's to St Paul's
Host · (3 episodes)
2009
Sickert vs Sargent
Self
2007
Toulouse-Lautrec: The Full Story
Presenter
2006
Paradise Found
Himself
2005
The Michelangelo Code: Lost Secrets of the Sistine Chapel
Self
2005
Beijing Swings
Self - presenter
2003
Gauguin: The Full Story
Presenter
2003
The Lost Supper
Self - Narrator
1998
Arthouse
Self - Presenter · (1 episode)
1997