For as long as I can remember, I've always loved learning about art and the history behind it. The greatest and most talented artists through out history such as Durer, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Ma Yuan, Caravaggio, Van Dyke and many more have always had my full attention.
Louis Levau, J. Hardouin, Lucas von Hildebrandt and Filippo Brunelleschi, the architects behind some of the most wonderful builds in history such as Versailles, the Vienna Belvedere and the Cathedral of Florence are also ones to be praised.
I've read many books and articles on these talented artists but The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich is by far my favourite.
He starts with the cave drawings of Altamira and Lascaux, the wood carvings of the Maoris to the Pyramids of Giza, the Parthenon, all the way to the drawings by J.H. Fragonard and the works of Picasso.
I've learned so much from this book. There are so many things I never thought of while looking at the works of Rubens, Van der Goes and El Greco, things I never knew about the pieces. What the purpose of creating the piece was, whether it was for a cathedral or a wealthy family. What the artist intended the viewers to feel, what the artist felt while creating the piece. The things these artists had to go through, had to learn before they could start.
I think knowing the little things about these works of art really help appreciate them more and brings them to life.
After I complete The Story of Art, I will be reading Art and History of Florence.
I am very excited to read this next. Italian art, history and architecture is my absolute favorite topic to learn about and that is this book's main and only focus. It goes more in depth on the works of Brunelleschi, da Vinci, Cellini and many more of my most favored Italian artists. As well as, the history of Florence's most incredible builds such as the Florence Cathedral, the Piazza Della Signoria and the Medici Chapels.
I've seen countless pictures and I've read many texts about all of these incredible works of art but they certainly do not do justice compared to actually seeing them in person. I haven't yet, but one day I will go on a trip and see it all. I will visit museums such as The Louvre, The British Museum, The Vatican Museums and The Uffizi Gallery and walk along the walls of the Colosseum.
I would love nothing more and I can't wait. :)