Ramsey spells out
the intent of his book where he says, “The following chapters are part of art
history, part biblical study, part philosophy, and part analysis of the human
experience. But they are all story.” p. 15.
I love the way
Ramsey gives a bit of a biography of each of the ten artists and their works he
features. By doing so, he makes each master’s personality come alive when their
paintings are studied in detail. Indeed, he also puts the viewer as well as the
artist in the picture. Take The Storm on the Sea of Galilee for example.
“The sea surges and swells. The little boat has no hope of holding on to the
surging foam below. The bow rides up the back of one white breaker, while the
stern dips into the valley beneath it. Waves break over the sides. The half
dozen men to Rembrandt’s right shout and strain at the sails, struggling to
keep the ship from capsizing. The five men to his left plead with Jesus of
Nazareth to save them. Rembrandt stands in the middle of the boat, his right
hand tightly clutching a rope and his left pinning his hat to his head. His
name is scrawled across the useless rudder, as though this is his boat on the
sea, and they are all caught in his storm. He and everyone on the ship are
doomed to be lost unless their leader intervenes.” p. 69-70.
Though this book
from a personal perspective could have been titled Art and Artists for
Dummies, it will also be a beneficial and edifying read for those who are
in the know. It is a refreshing read that is not lacking in culture.
