The Story of Art

This book is one of the best introductory overviews to art history. It is simple and easy to take in making it accessible to almost anyone. Unfortunately it leaves female artists out of the conversation even after new editions had been made with added information. Some of this is the authors fault (especially when discussing more recent art) but the rest of the blame does lie on the society of the past.

Let me preface this review by mentioning that I am a total beginner when it comes to art history or to be fair art in general, so naturally I was skeptical to pick up this book because I wasn’t sure that I’ll enjoy it as it might get too highbrow for me.

Well, I am glad to say that I was wrong and this has to be one of the best non-fiction books I have read. (The number’s not that huge so not a big deal :p)

Now onto the review, Story of Art was published in 1950 but it is a book that one can still understand because it is a timeless telling of European Art. It is not just understandable but really fun because the author takes you on a journey from the conception of art to how the society around it shaped its evolution, shows you how art can never be understood completely but can be appreciated wholeheartedly and interpreted in different ways.

Also, it is an amazing collection of great art trivia that I lapped up like it was a daily soap opera.

In addition to the historical journey that the author Ernest Gombrich takes you on, there’s a message there about how art is something that we, as humans, will always create. It leaves you with the following beautiful ending quote which is more so relevant now, with the advent of AI generated images and how the art that artists spend their lifetime honing can be regenerated within a span of seconds.

“Artists, we trust, will always be born. But whether there will also be that depends to no small extent on ourselves, their public. By our indifference or our interest, by our prejudice or our understanding we may yet decide the issue. It is we who must see to it that the thread of tradition does not break and that there remain opportunities for the artist to add to the precious string of pearls that is our heirloom from the past.”

It left me speechless and astonished.

There are a few shortcomings of the book though like even though it is called Story of Art, mainly European art movements are discussed at length with passing mentions made on the historical context happening in the other parts of the world but the author acknowledges this in his prologue and well the book is published in 1950, they didn’t quite have the extensive resources required for other continents.

Still, it is truly the best primer for someone looking to learn about art.