Ernst Gombrich’s The Story of Art has been beloved by academics and art analysts since it was first published in 1950. This classic work brings together Gombrich’s vast knowledge of art and his brilliant storytelling to provide a comprehensive yet engaging narrative. Written in an accessible style and illustrated heavily with images, The Story of Art draws upon the diverse and expansive histories of European, Middle Eastern, Hindu, and Buddhist art to construct a dynamic and thought-provoking narrative.
The Story of Art begins with Gombrich’s overview of the major developments in prehistoric art, analyzing it from a variety of perspectives from psychology to ethnology to accommodate the interests of a diverse readership. He moves on to the Ancient Egyptian dynasties and the Old Kingdom of Sumer, highlighting the various artworks at various stages of its evolution. A particular focus is given to the emergence of figurative art in these cultures, exemplified by the artistic conventions of the time. Gombrich moves on the describe the ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome, with attention given to the developments in portraiture, architecture, and mythological scenes.
When discussing Classical Greece, Gombrich pays special attention to the artistic legacy of Parmigianino and Raphael. He extensively analyses their renderings of the human form, particularly how they altered scientific, anatomical rules in service of artistic effect. He moves on to discuss Byzantine art and the rise of the Gothic style and expressions of Christian faith within art, before proceeding to the Renaissance period. Here a detailed look is taken at the Italian painters, starting with the great masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael; and proceeding to the Venetian, 18th-century painters, such as Correggio, Titian, and Rubens. Gombrich then moves on to discuss the Middle and Far Eastern cultures, exploring both the painting of China and Japan and the Hindu and Buddhist art of India.
For the book’s second half, Gombrich turns his focus to the artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Here he examines the effect of the changing political environment and the rise of industry upon the art of the time. He contextualises the movements within this period, such as Romanticism, Impressionism, Pre-Raphaelites, and Post-Impressionism, within a broader framework that includes both the aesthetic and topical inclinations of their time. Gombrich goes on to discuss abstract art and its evolution, wrapping up his vast and dynamic narrative by delving into the vast number of artistic movements and works produced in the twentieth century and after.
Gombrich’s The Story of Art contains an expansive, comprehensive journey through the evolution of art worldwide, topped off with clear, applicable summarisations and connections of the movements and works of past centuries to the greater art scene of the twentieth century and beyond. This classic text remains one of the most enjoyable and informative journeys through the world of art, and is sure to captivate and educate readers of all backgrounds and interests.
