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Rembrandt Is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith
How do art and faith intersect? How does art help us see our own lives more clearly? What can we understand about God and humanity by looking at the lives of artists?
Striving for beauty, art also reveals what is broken. It presents us with the tremendous struggles and longings common to the human experience. And it says a lot about our Creator too. Great works of art can speak to the soul in a unique way.
Rembrandt Is in the Wind is an invitation to discover some of the world's most celebrated artists and works and how each of them illuminates something about God, people, and the purpose of life. Part art history, part biblical study, part philosophy, and part analysis of the human experience, this book is nonetheless all story.
From Michelangelo to Vincent van Gogh to Edward Hopper, the lives of the artists in this book illustrate the struggle of living in this world and point to the beauty of the redemption available to us in Christ. Each story is different. Some conclude with resounding triumph while others end in struggle. But all of them raise important questions about humanity's hunger and capacity for glory, and all of them teach us to love and see beauty.
"The artists featured in these pages—artists who devoted their lives and work to what is good, true, and beautiful—remind us that we can, and should, do the same." —Karen Swallow Prior, author of On Reading Well
Accompanying resources, visuals, and an outline of Western art are available in the audiobook companion PDF download.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Striving for beauty, art also reveals what is broken. It presents us with the tremendous struggles and longings common to the human experience. And it says a lot about our Creator too. Great works of art can speak to the soul in a unique way.
Rembrandt Is in the Wind is an invitation to discover some of the world's most celebrated artists and works and how each of them illuminates something about God, people, and the purpose of life. Part art history, part biblical study, part philosophy, and part analysis of the human experience, this book is nonetheless all story.
From Michelangelo to Vincent van Gogh to Edward Hopper, the lives of the artists in this book illustrate the struggle of living in this world and point to the beauty of the redemption available to us in Christ. Each story is different. Some conclude with resounding triumph while others end in struggle. But all of them raise important questions about humanity's hunger and capacity for glory, and all of them teach us to love and see beauty.
"The artists featured in these pages—artists who devoted their lives and work to what is good, true, and beautiful—remind us that we can, and should, do the same." —Karen Swallow Prior, author of On Reading Well
Accompanying resources, visuals, and an outline of Western art are available in the audiobook companion PDF download.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Audible Audio
First published March 22, 2022
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About the author
Russ Ramsey
15 books237 followersRuss Ramsey and his wife and four children make their home in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church and the author of Struck: One Christian’s Reflections on Encountering Death (IVP, 2017), Behold the Lamb of God: An Advent Narrative, and Behold the King of Glory: A Narrative of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is a graduate of Taylor University (1991) and Covenant Theological Seminary (MDiv, 2000; ThM, 2003). Follow Russ on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 918 reviews
August 25, 2023
I read the book almost in one take, quickly gave it five stars (I’ll explain why below), and then started reading other reviews, positive and negative. The negative ones had me wondering if I’m just that shallow a reader to react so quickly. Maybe I should have left my ratings-meter on simmer a bit longer?
But no, I’m sticking with five stars, because this is a good and needed and useful book. It’s good in a personal, quirky, I’m not-an-art-historian-but-I-have-something-to-show-you way. It’s needed and useful particularly for those who have been told, for whatever reasons (including religious ones) that art isn’t for them.
Most of the negative reviews have had to do with something else: a question of the book’s truthfulness. I heard the author say in an interview that he wasn’t writing hagiography, that he was committed to showing the rough sides of the artists as necessary. The argument seems to be that he pushes too hard to make certain people, or their works, a part of the Christ-acknowledging world, when they themselves might not have appreciated being tagged in that way. It’s not a new argument; it’s been applied to everyone from scientists to poets, from world leaders to composers, especially when proof is found that, one on hand, “secular” artists/writers/scientists had spiritual beliefs; or, on the other hand, when someone’s life (like Caravaggio’s) shows little evidence of personal devotion, yet his work dives deep into Biblical imagery. Are any of these reasons why we can’t hear glory in their words, or see examples of human grief and alienation in their paintings?
In the chapter on Edward Hopper, Ramsey writes: “It is the potential of the story, not the absence of one, that draws us to Hopper’s work because as human beings, if there’s one thing we know instinctively, it’s that there must be a story. Everything has a story. Everyone has a story. And every story is, in some way, sacred.” He also says, “Many people and their many decisions--for better or worse--have played a role in determining where our feet are planted. And the chances are good that we are each shaping some aspect of a foundation on which someone else will one day stand.” And that’s why a book of this kind matters most right now—because many of us are missing that foundation. It may not be perfect or complete; but that, in fact, would make it quite useful for a group of people wanting a place to begin exploring and discussing art together.
Overall take: read it, you won't be sorry.
But no, I’m sticking with five stars, because this is a good and needed and useful book. It’s good in a personal, quirky, I’m not-an-art-historian-but-I-have-something-to-show-you way. It’s needed and useful particularly for those who have been told, for whatever reasons (including religious ones) that art isn’t for them.
Most of the negative reviews have had to do with something else: a question of the book’s truthfulness. I heard the author say in an interview that he wasn’t writing hagiography, that he was committed to showing the rough sides of the artists as necessary. The argument seems to be that he pushes too hard to make certain people, or their works, a part of the Christ-acknowledging world, when they themselves might not have appreciated being tagged in that way. It’s not a new argument; it’s been applied to everyone from scientists to poets, from world leaders to composers, especially when proof is found that, one on hand, “secular” artists/writers/scientists had spiritual beliefs; or, on the other hand, when someone’s life (like Caravaggio’s) shows little evidence of personal devotion, yet his work dives deep into Biblical imagery. Are any of these reasons why we can’t hear glory in their words, or see examples of human grief and alienation in their paintings?
In the chapter on Edward Hopper, Ramsey writes: “It is the potential of the story, not the absence of one, that draws us to Hopper’s work because as human beings, if there’s one thing we know instinctively, it’s that there must be a story. Everything has a story. Everyone has a story. And every story is, in some way, sacred.” He also says, “Many people and their many decisions--for better or worse--have played a role in determining where our feet are planted. And the chances are good that we are each shaping some aspect of a foundation on which someone else will one day stand.” And that’s why a book of this kind matters most right now—because many of us are missing that foundation. It may not be perfect or complete; but that, in fact, would make it quite useful for a group of people wanting a place to begin exploring and discussing art together.
Overall take: read it, you won't be sorry.
June 26, 2022
Another surprisingly good book on art, beauty, truth, and faith.
March 22, 2022
I really had no idea what to expect when I chose to read this book, but inside I found a crash course in art appreciation and the way God works through the creative spirit. Each chapter focuses on a different artist and a particular piece of art, drawing out lessons and principles from the each. Each story is told in a manner fitting to that artist and their art, and each chapter flows easily. It’s a challenging and yet an easy read. Though I didn’t know what I was getting, I found a treasure trove and a new appreciation for some artists I had not before heard of. This book is well worth the read!
FULL DISCLOSURE: I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 12, 2022
Pros: interesting snippets of art history, which I enjoyed. The author is passionate about art and that comes across beautifully.
Cons: theological mess. Christian writers really need to stop trying to make a case for the Christian faith supposedly held by great artists/poets/authors when their lives (and own words/writings in some cases) clearly don’t reflect any reason to think that these men actually belonged to Christ.
Cons: theological mess. Christian writers really need to stop trying to make a case for the Christian faith supposedly held by great artists/poets/authors when their lives (and own words/writings in some cases) clearly don’t reflect any reason to think that these men actually belonged to Christ.
August 11, 2023
I loved this! My art education is woefully lacking so I have been steadily seeking out resources that will help form and guide my love of art. As I was reading, I realized that my mom has been my book mentor and my dad is my classical music mentor, but I’ve never had an in-person art mentor. I have been blessed to follow some folks online who love art (Sarah Clarkson and Bethany Kern with Goldberry Art come to mind). In this book, Russ Ramsey has taken on a role of mentor for me.
This book is wonderful. It is such a unique mixture of artist biography, devotional and scriptural ponderings, big human questions about truth, beauty, goodness, and suffering, exploring the intricacy of art technique, history, and meaning, etc. I am doing a poor job of summing it up because the whole of the book is ever so much more than its parts. I always know when a book has taken its place in my favorites when I finish it and scramble madly to a computer to order my own copy. I also went straight to the library website to look up artist names. I want to get books of paintings to study, letters by Van Gogh, biographies of Henry Ossawa Tanner and Lilias Trotter, and more!
Onward and upward!
This book is wonderful. It is such a unique mixture of artist biography, devotional and scriptural ponderings, big human questions about truth, beauty, goodness, and suffering, exploring the intricacy of art technique, history, and meaning, etc. I am doing a poor job of summing it up because the whole of the book is ever so much more than its parts. I always know when a book has taken its place in my favorites when I finish it and scramble madly to a computer to order my own copy. I also went straight to the library website to look up artist names. I want to get books of paintings to study, letters by Van Gogh, biographies of Henry Ossawa Tanner and Lilias Trotter, and more!
Onward and upward!
August 29, 2023
Quick notes:
I’m trying to mix a Christian book every 3 or 4 books now. Not sure this book qualifies that like I wanted to. Take the good with the bad on this one and it comes out definitively below average to me.
Ok, first, I’ve seriously been studying art for just shy of a year and this gives me an different perspective than the demographic that this is aimed at as I’m already familiar with most of the background of the artists that the author provides. The art world is a highly critical world and, consequently, a difficult world to navigate, especially when taking a casual approach, as this always comes off as overly reductive and largely missing the point, as casual observers hijack the art for ridiculous purposes (‘death of the author’ type stuff blah blah blah). So I found this an uphill battle to begin with for Russ Ramsey as this is basically like going in to receive a classical music education from someone who cannot read music nor has played an instrument, but has read a biography on Mozart and does enjoy his music.
But, to my surprise the book starts off pretty well, with a clear main premise being that beauty is a pathway to knowing God, and this is often neglected. Russ has a genuine interest in art and it shows; he gives clear descriptions, the background details he provides are efficient and engaging, and his analysis on the artworks themselves - when he does occasionally analyze the artworks - is very apt and thoughtful. Also, I was introduced to Henry O. Tanner’s work and Lilias Trotter’s story, which is a positive take away. So why isn’t this a good book overall? Well, there are many reasons.
Firstly, as the further the book went on the more it seemed to lose its purpose. I found it getting lighter and lighter on Christian application. The author seems to spend most of his time on the background information, which is fine, but since I knew most of the artists I didn’t find it very engaging anymore. And this is also where the casual approach starts to show its shortcomings; it was wildly reductive and honestly riddled with subtle, but numerous bad takes.
Firstly, and most prominent, is that Caravaggio is not a good person — at all. I haven’t heard many people try and claim the opposite but Ramsey seems to strongly infer it. The man had a hulk-like rage and killed multiple men, and supposedly over rather insignificant disagreements. Additionally, and probably most importantly, there is no evidence of his repentance, as he continued to do these things - the conclusion that he did is merely conjecture. One could just as easily say that Caravaggio was only remorseful due to the exile he had to endure due to his crimes. Therefore, I did not find him a very suitable candidate to explore biblical themes of grace - this section missed the mark for me and I find it to be largely a mischaracterization of what we actually know about him.
The chapter on Van Gogh probably had the potential to be the best as it started with the well chosen Ecclesiastes verse, and how I believe Van Gogh to be the real-life embodiment of a character out of a Russian novel. However, Ramsey decided to focus on the amount of works Van Gogh produced. This, while certainly impressive, is not a wild feat considering how artists previous to him were largely limited based on 1. accessibly to paint and 2. the expensiveness and therefore scarceness of paper and other resources. I thought the analysis shallow due to this, and it didn’t really add anything to what the chapter was supposed to be about, honestly it felt like it was just fluff.
There are plenty of other, smaller and probably nit-picky, aspects I didn’t like too. During the explanation of the theft of Rembrandt’s painting Ramsey stated something along the lines of ‘Did the thief look Rembrandt in the eyes as he stole the painting?’ (Rembrandt painted himself into the scene of the painting and his viewing the audience). I read that and rolled my eyes so hard I could see my brain losing its higher functions. This is what college lit majors do to sound compelling when they examine anything, they try to make every action profound, even though is zero evidence to support their conjectures. Additionally, trying to say Vermeer is an obscure artist..? Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of the most famous and recognizable artworks in the world! Furthermore, (and this is because I love Poussin) Poussin was not simply a ‘contemporary of Caravaggio’, Poussin was the father of the French Academy of Art and is commonly referred to as the Bach of painting!
Found a few typos too.
I guess this is what upsets me about this book - a lot of the points make sense and sound good as long as you don’t think about them. I was hoping it would provide a proper marriage between art and faith but it did not. This is a book mainly about artists, secondarily about their art, and lastly a sprinkle of the Biblical themes.
Alternatively, I would say to spend time exploring Ary Scheffer’s work, he is a great painter to check out - Micah Christensen has a great lecture on YouTube about this Forgotten Master and his lectures are a great starting point.
I’m trying to mix a Christian book every 3 or 4 books now. Not sure this book qualifies that like I wanted to. Take the good with the bad on this one and it comes out definitively below average to me.
Ok, first, I’ve seriously been studying art for just shy of a year and this gives me an different perspective than the demographic that this is aimed at as I’m already familiar with most of the background of the artists that the author provides. The art world is a highly critical world and, consequently, a difficult world to navigate, especially when taking a casual approach, as this always comes off as overly reductive and largely missing the point, as casual observers hijack the art for ridiculous purposes (‘death of the author’ type stuff blah blah blah). So I found this an uphill battle to begin with for Russ Ramsey as this is basically like going in to receive a classical music education from someone who cannot read music nor has played an instrument, but has read a biography on Mozart and does enjoy his music.
But, to my surprise the book starts off pretty well, with a clear main premise being that beauty is a pathway to knowing God, and this is often neglected. Russ has a genuine interest in art and it shows; he gives clear descriptions, the background details he provides are efficient and engaging, and his analysis on the artworks themselves - when he does occasionally analyze the artworks - is very apt and thoughtful. Also, I was introduced to Henry O. Tanner’s work and Lilias Trotter’s story, which is a positive take away. So why isn’t this a good book overall? Well, there are many reasons.
Firstly, as the further the book went on the more it seemed to lose its purpose. I found it getting lighter and lighter on Christian application. The author seems to spend most of his time on the background information, which is fine, but since I knew most of the artists I didn’t find it very engaging anymore. And this is also where the casual approach starts to show its shortcomings; it was wildly reductive and honestly riddled with subtle, but numerous bad takes.
Firstly, and most prominent, is that Caravaggio is not a good person — at all. I haven’t heard many people try and claim the opposite but Ramsey seems to strongly infer it. The man had a hulk-like rage and killed multiple men, and supposedly over rather insignificant disagreements. Additionally, and probably most importantly, there is no evidence of his repentance, as he continued to do these things - the conclusion that he did is merely conjecture. One could just as easily say that Caravaggio was only remorseful due to the exile he had to endure due to his crimes. Therefore, I did not find him a very suitable candidate to explore biblical themes of grace - this section missed the mark for me and I find it to be largely a mischaracterization of what we actually know about him.
The chapter on Van Gogh probably had the potential to be the best as it started with the well chosen Ecclesiastes verse, and how I believe Van Gogh to be the real-life embodiment of a character out of a Russian novel. However, Ramsey decided to focus on the amount of works Van Gogh produced. This, while certainly impressive, is not a wild feat considering how artists previous to him were largely limited based on 1. accessibly to paint and 2. the expensiveness and therefore scarceness of paper and other resources. I thought the analysis shallow due to this, and it didn’t really add anything to what the chapter was supposed to be about, honestly it felt like it was just fluff.
There are plenty of other, smaller and probably nit-picky, aspects I didn’t like too. During the explanation of the theft of Rembrandt’s painting Ramsey stated something along the lines of ‘Did the thief look Rembrandt in the eyes as he stole the painting?’ (Rembrandt painted himself into the scene of the painting and his viewing the audience). I read that and rolled my eyes so hard I could see my brain losing its higher functions. This is what college lit majors do to sound compelling when they examine anything, they try to make every action profound, even though is zero evidence to support their conjectures. Additionally, trying to say Vermeer is an obscure artist..? Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of the most famous and recognizable artworks in the world! Furthermore, (and this is because I love Poussin) Poussin was not simply a ‘contemporary of Caravaggio’, Poussin was the father of the French Academy of Art and is commonly referred to as the Bach of painting!
Found a few typos too.
I guess this is what upsets me about this book - a lot of the points make sense and sound good as long as you don’t think about them. I was hoping it would provide a proper marriage between art and faith but it did not. This is a book mainly about artists, secondarily about their art, and lastly a sprinkle of the Biblical themes.
Alternatively, I would say to spend time exploring Ary Scheffer’s work, he is a great painter to check out - Micah Christensen has a great lecture on YouTube about this Forgotten Master and his lectures are a great starting point.
January 31, 2024
Surprisingly, while I enjoyed feasting on the art and the details about the artists brought forward in this book, I was left being most inspired by Russ' high school art teacher who he mentions in passing first inspired his own love of Rembrandt. Rembrandt was the master who opened the door to a larger room where he was introduced to more masters which opened more doors which has not only enriched his pastoral life and instagram feed, but also ultimately lead to him publishing this book that found its way into my own hands. The book itself is chalked full of lovely vignettes and theological reflections about the transcendence of art. It is serendipitous to me that he ends this book with a chapter on Lilias Trotter who he quoted as saying "Service to the Lord is never wasted, even if people don't see it. God sees it and uses it." Oh how this could be applied to Russ' art teacher! She provided unexpected encouragement to my own heart as I teach my own children how to appreciate art each week by setting the masterpiece before them and praying the art will accomplish what beauty does and that God will grant them sight to truly see through the eyes of faith.
April 10, 2023
I’ve been wanting to read this book ever since it came out.
There was a lot I appreciated about it, and I enjoyed reading it.
But, there was one repeated thing that I disagree with and made me like the book a lot less than I wanted to like it.
I do believe that we can appreciate and recognize God’s common grace and gifts to us through the arts and artists. I do believe that an appreciation for the arts can even allow us to worship and give thanks to the Lord. But, I think it is very dangerous to say that just because artists depicted great glories- even based on spiritual and Biblical content- that they “(knew) the love of Christ(.)” Especially when their lives, in word and deed, give us no reason to think that they had been changed by the power of the gospel.
Study art. Appreciate art. Love art. Give glory to God for the common grace seen through the artists’ works. Stand in awe of the creator who has given creativity and skill to his creation. But, let’s not attribute godliness to artists whose lives did not bear good fruit.
There was a lot I appreciated about it, and I enjoyed reading it.
But, there was one repeated thing that I disagree with and made me like the book a lot less than I wanted to like it.
I do believe that we can appreciate and recognize God’s common grace and gifts to us through the arts and artists. I do believe that an appreciation for the arts can even allow us to worship and give thanks to the Lord. But, I think it is very dangerous to say that just because artists depicted great glories- even based on spiritual and Biblical content- that they “(knew) the love of Christ(.)” Especially when their lives, in word and deed, give us no reason to think that they had been changed by the power of the gospel.
Study art. Appreciate art. Love art. Give glory to God for the common grace seen through the artists’ works. Stand in awe of the creator who has given creativity and skill to his creation. But, let’s not attribute godliness to artists whose lives did not bear good fruit.
April 25, 2022
Delightful.
April 10, 2023
I knew this book would be good when I saw that Makoto Fujimura wrote the forward. And the book did not disappoint. It far exceeded my expectations!
Firstly, Russ Ramsey gets beauty. and he writes about beauty in such wonderful ways.
Secondly, as a self-taught art enthusiast and pastor, he is the perfect person to bridge the gap between great works of art and questions of faith. He writes in deeply relatable ways without dumbing down his insights. He clear has both a shepherds heart and the eye of an artists
As someone passively interested in the world of art, I would not have expected to get so enraptured in stories about Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and others. Yet I was! I couldn’t put the book down.
As Mako writes in the foreword, “To be a Christ follower is to behold the fragments before us, to pay attention and ‘consider the lilies.’”
Ramsey helps us do that. And spurs us on to create in the meantime.
“What is your craft? What art or skills are you developing?… Learn to contribute beauty to this world—modest though your part may be. It’s okay to be a slow learner. Just don’t bow out of the work of beautifying the gardens you tend. The world benefits from your voice, your touch, your vision.”
Read this book! It will be fresh water for your soul and a joy to behold.
Firstly, Russ Ramsey gets beauty. and he writes about beauty in such wonderful ways.
Secondly, as a self-taught art enthusiast and pastor, he is the perfect person to bridge the gap between great works of art and questions of faith. He writes in deeply relatable ways without dumbing down his insights. He clear has both a shepherds heart and the eye of an artists
As someone passively interested in the world of art, I would not have expected to get so enraptured in stories about Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and others. Yet I was! I couldn’t put the book down.
As Mako writes in the foreword, “To be a Christ follower is to behold the fragments before us, to pay attention and ‘consider the lilies.’”
Ramsey helps us do that. And spurs us on to create in the meantime.
“What is your craft? What art or skills are you developing?… Learn to contribute beauty to this world—modest though your part may be. It’s okay to be a slow learner. Just don’t bow out of the work of beautifying the gardens you tend. The world benefits from your voice, your touch, your vision.”
Read this book! It will be fresh water for your soul and a joy to behold.
January 13, 2025
I loved it.
August 3, 2024
4.7 Stars
“Rembrandt is in the Wind” by Russ Ramsey is a journey into art history through the eyes of faith. In this book Ramsey introduces us to several artists from throughout history and draws theological lessons from each of their lives. The central theme is that in taking time to look at art and learning the stories of the artists we can see the beauty that God has put all over this world. And this beauty will help us to be more humble, holy and worshipful creatures.
I loved this book. Art history is something that I always felt interested in but never truly studied. I never could find a good book to start with. Finally, I have found the perfect book for believers to read and get introduce to some amazing works of art and how they display Gods beauty. This book is marvelous and invoked in me a wonder and awe for the beauty and mercy of God. What struck me most was the faults and moral failures of so many of these well known artists and yet how God was still merciful to allow them to see and create beauty.
I highly recommend this book for any believer. It’s a great introduction to art history and will teach you to appreciate and love beauty more.
“Rembrandt is in the Wind” by Russ Ramsey is a journey into art history through the eyes of faith. In this book Ramsey introduces us to several artists from throughout history and draws theological lessons from each of their lives. The central theme is that in taking time to look at art and learning the stories of the artists we can see the beauty that God has put all over this world. And this beauty will help us to be more humble, holy and worshipful creatures.
I loved this book. Art history is something that I always felt interested in but never truly studied. I never could find a good book to start with. Finally, I have found the perfect book for believers to read and get introduce to some amazing works of art and how they display Gods beauty. This book is marvelous and invoked in me a wonder and awe for the beauty and mercy of God. What struck me most was the faults and moral failures of so many of these well known artists and yet how God was still merciful to allow them to see and create beauty.
I highly recommend this book for any believer. It’s a great introduction to art history and will teach you to appreciate and love beauty more.
July 11, 2023
I was going to give 3 stars but had to bump down to 2 by the end of the book. I will quote a reviewer by saying that this “tastes very much like relativism and emotionalism”, particularly in chapters 5 and 6. Not great in a book written for thoughtful Christians.
The subtitle of the book (“learning to love art through the eyes of faith”) was a misnomer. This reads more like a sophomoric collection of biographical sketches with a bit about art itself thrown in (the introduction on beauty was actually quite good). The little given to faith was a theological mess. Another reviewer said that the author “forces a biblical lens and imposes a narrative on the life of the artist”, and I could not agree more with that summation. The sections given to applying lessons learned from an art piece/artist to our life of faith were sentimental and I often felt like Ramsey was reaching to find something “deep” with which to end the chapter.
In conclusion: not great.
The subtitle of the book (“learning to love art through the eyes of faith”) was a misnomer. This reads more like a sophomoric collection of biographical sketches with a bit about art itself thrown in (the introduction on beauty was actually quite good). The little given to faith was a theological mess. Another reviewer said that the author “forces a biblical lens and imposes a narrative on the life of the artist”, and I could not agree more with that summation. The sections given to applying lessons learned from an art piece/artist to our life of faith were sentimental and I often felt like Ramsey was reaching to find something “deep” with which to end the chapter.
In conclusion: not great.
June 15, 2023
“There is beauty in the brokenness. That’s what this book seeks to uncover, because beauty matters.”
I was an art major. Well… graphic design… but I took fine art and art history classes. And I think I learned more reading this book than I did in all of my art classes. I don’t know if I can lay the blame for that on my professors or my college-brain’s lack of enthusiasm to learn art history.
I can tell you after visiting Rome several years ago, and reading this book now, I regret wasting those years of learning.
Maybe I should have been an artist’s apprentice instead!
As the blurb on Goodreads says, “The book is part art history, part biblical study, part philosophy, and part analysis of the human experience; but it's all story.”
Russ Ramsey does a phenomenal job of looking at a variety of artists and their work and not only explaining the story, context, and technique of the pieces but helping us see them through the eyes of the gospel.
There were so many insights and contexts to famous art that I had seen before but had no idea what was behind it. It really brought the art to life in a new way and gave my somewhat art-jaded-heart a little kickstart!
One particular story that stuck out was the information about Michelangelo’s David sculpture. I had seen it in Rome. I had studied it in class, but the story of it and the context, I had no idea! It really is amazing!
This is a long excerpt but it sums up well what you’ll find in the pages of this book:
“Michelangelo highlights our hunger for glory. Caravaggio raises the conundrum of an utterly corrupt person creating transcendently beautiful displays of gospel truth. Rembrandt takes us on a journey involving the greatest art heist in American history, asking whether we feel the brokenness of the world and what can be done about it. Vermeer reminds us that no one creates in a vacuum, but rather we rely on the technological innovations of others. Bazille takes it a step further, adding that we don’t just rely on the innovations of others but on the others themselves for community and showing how generosity can yield exponential benefits for many. Van Gogh breaks our hearts as an example of someone striving for glory as he empties himself chasing a beauty that eludes him. Henry O. Tanner unpacks issues of race, the role of an artist in the late 1800s who wanted to promote the dignity of the marginalized, and the complicated choices that accompanied that journey. Edward Hopper delves into human loneliness and isolation, reminding us that talent and fame cannot give the heart what it hungers for most. And Lilias Trotter shows us what it means to set aside a passion for something good in order to follow after a greater calling and reveals the joys and sorrow that often accompany sacrificial obedience.”
I think this book would make a great book club selection! (I’ve included book club questions at the end.)
There are so many things to ponder and discuss. For the rest of my review, I’m putting my comments as ‘ponders’ because this book raised a lot of things to think about, but I never really settled anywhere with it. I think that’s the thing about art. It is defined yet ambiguous.
Ponder One
What is beauty and why does it matter? He wrote about this in his first chapter and says:
“Our wounds are not beautiful in themselves; the story behind their healing is. But how can we tell the story of our healing if we hide the wounds that need it? This book is about beauty. To get at it, this book is filled with stories of brokenness.”
“The pursuit of beauty requires the application of goodness and truth for the benefit of others. Beauty is what we make of goodness and truth. Beauty takes the pursuit of goodness past mere personal ethical conduct to the work of intentionally doing good to and for others. Beauty takes the pursuit of truth past the accumulation of knowledge to the proclamation and application of truth in the name of caring for others.”
I’ll be honest with you— I am not your typical artist. I have a hard time appreciating a lot of kinds of art. There is art I don’t think is beautiful. I can spend hours thinking about what makes art beautiful or meaningful.
Can art be beautiful strictly because of the story as to how it was made? And if that’s true, how does a normal passer-by understand that beauty just by looking at the painting? How much of art should or needs to be explained?
Can art be beautiful if it doesn’t depict truth or reality or goodness?
How does art care for people?
Whenever I go to another art museum, I think I’ll take that question with me— ‘What makes this piece of art beautiful?— and see if I can answer it.
Ponder Two
Throughout the book there was this tension between ‘Wow, that’s a really cool piece of information or connection’ and ‘Can we really jump from there to there?’
Because I didn’t have a lot of my own knowledge, sometimes I wondered if Ramsey was perhaps speculating too much on the artists’ intentions or motivations or emotions while creating their art. We have some letters and whatnot as evidence, but could some of these connections to faith be a bit of a stretch?
And if they were… does it matter?
Ramsey seemed pretty confident about the faith of these artists, but I guess I wonder how he can be so sure if their art, but not their lives, reflected it. I know as Christians we still sin and there is forgiveness, but isn’t it possible to create biblical art without having a heart right with the Lord?
Obviously, we don’t know the outcome of their salvation but at times it felt like maybe Ramsey was reading into things more than I would have.
Ponder Three
So much of art in earlier centuries was biblical in nature. Oftentimes the religious institutions were the main entities with money to commission art. Artists could survive from creating biblical renderings that would be placed in churches and cathedrals.
Also much of it is racially inaccurate as the artists were European.
But my question is… if the second commandment states not to make for ourselves an idol and the Bible prohibited graven images, is it unbiblical to depict Jesus in art?
During those times a lot of the people were illiterate and depended on the church to be taught the Bible. The art that was created allowed illiterate people to understand Scriptural messages by visual pictures. Art as evangelism.
Which then leads me to also think of children’s Bibles that have pictures along with the stories.
If making things or pictures in the image of Jesus is unbiblical can we give a pass to situations where the Gospel is trying to be depicted?
Or would that be like allowing the golden calf that was created with the motivation to still be worshiping God?
I don’t know what to think about this.
Ponder Four
What makes art scandalous? Isn’t it weird that different art at different times is considered scandalous but not in a different era?
Then, is scandalous a measure of morality?
And if it is, can morality change?
And if it is, is it immoral to create scandalous art?
Ponder Five
Ramsey’s chapter on Carravagio talks about the dichotomy of Carravagio’s behavior and the nature of his art.
“This is the paradox of Caravaggio—he brought so much suffering on himself, with such bravado and acrimony, yet when he picked up his brush, the Christ he rendered was the Redeemer of the vulnerable… We know that while he was yet sinning, he was producing some of the most profoundly merciful and eloquent commentaries on Scripture ever painted.”
What do we do with art or creations in general that depict truth, but come from a person in sin. Was Caravaggio repentant? We don’t know. Would it matter? Perhaps.
It seems if Caravaggio were alive today with the same type of scenario, if he had a pattern of corruption and sin but painted beautiful scenes from the Bible, he would still be dismissed by Christians. Christians wouldn’t want to support a person who disparages God’s name in their daily life. His art would be seen as hypocritical.
The irony is, all art is created by sinners.
Further, God can use creations from sinners, repentant or not, to build His kingdom.
How, then, should we rightly interact with art that is borne of this nature. Art in the sense of fine art, music, video, movie, etc.?
Can art still be beautiful if the creator was corrupt or it was borne in corruption? Would the beauty be of a different kind? Is it still true?
Ponder Six
What if I don’t feel moved by art?
This is a transparent question for me to ask, being somewhat of an artist myself.
But during my art classes, I remember feeling like an outlier when it came to observing and contemplating art. I didn’t create art to express myself. I wanted to create art for the beauty of it. To create something that someone would want to hang on their wall.
It felt forced to look at someone’s painting and talk about feelings. I could comment on the color selection, the brush strokes, the lines, the composition, but if it were trying to convey an emotional message, it was not always clear to me.
Is it still worth creating art if the viewer does not comprehend the message the artist is attempting to deliver?
Should art move us emotionally?
Do all artists really create every part of the art intentionally? I can see more in earlier centuries of art that this would be true, but is art today still so intentional? Or could we find ourselves over-analyzing every detail and creating a portrait of meaning that is too contrived?
Could I go into an art museum with the explicit purpose to find one or two paintings to study for an extended amount of time? I’m not sure I could. When we were in Rome we visited like three whole museums in one day! Clearly we were doing it wrong, but we had a time crunch and our tour guide told us to skip the Egyptian rooms so sue me.
I’d like to think I could gaze at one piece of art for an hour and come away with some sort of deep connection, but realistically I think my mind would wander and I would get bored. What does that say about me? Am I just a product of our fast-paced culture, or is that a symptom of something deeper?
Now when I think about natural beauty… I think I could sit on the top of a mountain and stare at God’s creation for an hour and come away changed. Maybe I just prefer God’s art to man’s?
Recommendation
I definitely recommend this book! For both art-lovers and art-avoiders.
For either party, I think the stories of these artists will resonate with you, inspire you, challenge you, and help you to appreciate art in a different way.
This book is interesting, thought-provoking, and faith-focused.
The book cover made me think I was going to be bored reading it, but I found myself looking forward to picking it up each day and learning more.
Plus the appendices in the back are helpful in encouraging and instructing readers on how to visit an art museum.
Art is connected to life. And “Life, after all, is the great art of divine design.”
“God uses beauty to woo and warm hearts. Creation testifies to a Maker who delights in beauty for beauty’s sake.”
If nothing else, this book may inspire you to see the beauty around you, just for the sake of appreciating something beautiful.
I've included a whole list of more Book Club Discussion Questions in My Original Blog Post! Check it out and have fun discussing in your groups!
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest
I was an art major. Well… graphic design… but I took fine art and art history classes. And I think I learned more reading this book than I did in all of my art classes. I don’t know if I can lay the blame for that on my professors or my college-brain’s lack of enthusiasm to learn art history.
I can tell you after visiting Rome several years ago, and reading this book now, I regret wasting those years of learning.
Maybe I should have been an artist’s apprentice instead!
As the blurb on Goodreads says, “The book is part art history, part biblical study, part philosophy, and part analysis of the human experience; but it's all story.”
Russ Ramsey does a phenomenal job of looking at a variety of artists and their work and not only explaining the story, context, and technique of the pieces but helping us see them through the eyes of the gospel.
There were so many insights and contexts to famous art that I had seen before but had no idea what was behind it. It really brought the art to life in a new way and gave my somewhat art-jaded-heart a little kickstart!
One particular story that stuck out was the information about Michelangelo’s David sculpture. I had seen it in Rome. I had studied it in class, but the story of it and the context, I had no idea! It really is amazing!
This is a long excerpt but it sums up well what you’ll find in the pages of this book:
“Michelangelo highlights our hunger for glory. Caravaggio raises the conundrum of an utterly corrupt person creating transcendently beautiful displays of gospel truth. Rembrandt takes us on a journey involving the greatest art heist in American history, asking whether we feel the brokenness of the world and what can be done about it. Vermeer reminds us that no one creates in a vacuum, but rather we rely on the technological innovations of others. Bazille takes it a step further, adding that we don’t just rely on the innovations of others but on the others themselves for community and showing how generosity can yield exponential benefits for many. Van Gogh breaks our hearts as an example of someone striving for glory as he empties himself chasing a beauty that eludes him. Henry O. Tanner unpacks issues of race, the role of an artist in the late 1800s who wanted to promote the dignity of the marginalized, and the complicated choices that accompanied that journey. Edward Hopper delves into human loneliness and isolation, reminding us that talent and fame cannot give the heart what it hungers for most. And Lilias Trotter shows us what it means to set aside a passion for something good in order to follow after a greater calling and reveals the joys and sorrow that often accompany sacrificial obedience.”
I think this book would make a great book club selection! (I’ve included book club questions at the end.)
There are so many things to ponder and discuss. For the rest of my review, I’m putting my comments as ‘ponders’ because this book raised a lot of things to think about, but I never really settled anywhere with it. I think that’s the thing about art. It is defined yet ambiguous.
Ponder One
What is beauty and why does it matter? He wrote about this in his first chapter and says:
“Our wounds are not beautiful in themselves; the story behind their healing is. But how can we tell the story of our healing if we hide the wounds that need it? This book is about beauty. To get at it, this book is filled with stories of brokenness.”
“The pursuit of beauty requires the application of goodness and truth for the benefit of others. Beauty is what we make of goodness and truth. Beauty takes the pursuit of goodness past mere personal ethical conduct to the work of intentionally doing good to and for others. Beauty takes the pursuit of truth past the accumulation of knowledge to the proclamation and application of truth in the name of caring for others.”
I’ll be honest with you— I am not your typical artist. I have a hard time appreciating a lot of kinds of art. There is art I don’t think is beautiful. I can spend hours thinking about what makes art beautiful or meaningful.
Can art be beautiful strictly because of the story as to how it was made? And if that’s true, how does a normal passer-by understand that beauty just by looking at the painting? How much of art should or needs to be explained?
Can art be beautiful if it doesn’t depict truth or reality or goodness?
How does art care for people?
Whenever I go to another art museum, I think I’ll take that question with me— ‘What makes this piece of art beautiful?— and see if I can answer it.
Ponder Two
Throughout the book there was this tension between ‘Wow, that’s a really cool piece of information or connection’ and ‘Can we really jump from there to there?’
Because I didn’t have a lot of my own knowledge, sometimes I wondered if Ramsey was perhaps speculating too much on the artists’ intentions or motivations or emotions while creating their art. We have some letters and whatnot as evidence, but could some of these connections to faith be a bit of a stretch?
And if they were… does it matter?
Ramsey seemed pretty confident about the faith of these artists, but I guess I wonder how he can be so sure if their art, but not their lives, reflected it. I know as Christians we still sin and there is forgiveness, but isn’t it possible to create biblical art without having a heart right with the Lord?
Obviously, we don’t know the outcome of their salvation but at times it felt like maybe Ramsey was reading into things more than I would have.
Ponder Three
So much of art in earlier centuries was biblical in nature. Oftentimes the religious institutions were the main entities with money to commission art. Artists could survive from creating biblical renderings that would be placed in churches and cathedrals.
Also much of it is racially inaccurate as the artists were European.
But my question is… if the second commandment states not to make for ourselves an idol and the Bible prohibited graven images, is it unbiblical to depict Jesus in art?
During those times a lot of the people were illiterate and depended on the church to be taught the Bible. The art that was created allowed illiterate people to understand Scriptural messages by visual pictures. Art as evangelism.
Which then leads me to also think of children’s Bibles that have pictures along with the stories.
If making things or pictures in the image of Jesus is unbiblical can we give a pass to situations where the Gospel is trying to be depicted?
Or would that be like allowing the golden calf that was created with the motivation to still be worshiping God?
I don’t know what to think about this.
Ponder Four
What makes art scandalous? Isn’t it weird that different art at different times is considered scandalous but not in a different era?
Then, is scandalous a measure of morality?
And if it is, can morality change?
And if it is, is it immoral to create scandalous art?
Ponder Five
Ramsey’s chapter on Carravagio talks about the dichotomy of Carravagio’s behavior and the nature of his art.
“This is the paradox of Caravaggio—he brought so much suffering on himself, with such bravado and acrimony, yet when he picked up his brush, the Christ he rendered was the Redeemer of the vulnerable… We know that while he was yet sinning, he was producing some of the most profoundly merciful and eloquent commentaries on Scripture ever painted.”
What do we do with art or creations in general that depict truth, but come from a person in sin. Was Caravaggio repentant? We don’t know. Would it matter? Perhaps.
It seems if Caravaggio were alive today with the same type of scenario, if he had a pattern of corruption and sin but painted beautiful scenes from the Bible, he would still be dismissed by Christians. Christians wouldn’t want to support a person who disparages God’s name in their daily life. His art would be seen as hypocritical.
The irony is, all art is created by sinners.
Further, God can use creations from sinners, repentant or not, to build His kingdom.
How, then, should we rightly interact with art that is borne of this nature. Art in the sense of fine art, music, video, movie, etc.?
Can art still be beautiful if the creator was corrupt or it was borne in corruption? Would the beauty be of a different kind? Is it still true?
Ponder Six
What if I don’t feel moved by art?
This is a transparent question for me to ask, being somewhat of an artist myself.
But during my art classes, I remember feeling like an outlier when it came to observing and contemplating art. I didn’t create art to express myself. I wanted to create art for the beauty of it. To create something that someone would want to hang on their wall.
It felt forced to look at someone’s painting and talk about feelings. I could comment on the color selection, the brush strokes, the lines, the composition, but if it were trying to convey an emotional message, it was not always clear to me.
Is it still worth creating art if the viewer does not comprehend the message the artist is attempting to deliver?
Should art move us emotionally?
Do all artists really create every part of the art intentionally? I can see more in earlier centuries of art that this would be true, but is art today still so intentional? Or could we find ourselves over-analyzing every detail and creating a portrait of meaning that is too contrived?
Could I go into an art museum with the explicit purpose to find one or two paintings to study for an extended amount of time? I’m not sure I could. When we were in Rome we visited like three whole museums in one day! Clearly we were doing it wrong, but we had a time crunch and our tour guide told us to skip the Egyptian rooms so sue me.
I’d like to think I could gaze at one piece of art for an hour and come away with some sort of deep connection, but realistically I think my mind would wander and I would get bored. What does that say about me? Am I just a product of our fast-paced culture, or is that a symptom of something deeper?
Now when I think about natural beauty… I think I could sit on the top of a mountain and stare at God’s creation for an hour and come away changed. Maybe I just prefer God’s art to man’s?
Recommendation
I definitely recommend this book! For both art-lovers and art-avoiders.
For either party, I think the stories of these artists will resonate with you, inspire you, challenge you, and help you to appreciate art in a different way.
This book is interesting, thought-provoking, and faith-focused.
The book cover made me think I was going to be bored reading it, but I found myself looking forward to picking it up each day and learning more.
Plus the appendices in the back are helpful in encouraging and instructing readers on how to visit an art museum.
Art is connected to life. And “Life, after all, is the great art of divine design.”
“God uses beauty to woo and warm hearts. Creation testifies to a Maker who delights in beauty for beauty’s sake.”
If nothing else, this book may inspire you to see the beauty around you, just for the sake of appreciating something beautiful.
I've included a whole list of more Book Club Discussion Questions in My Original Blog Post! Check it out and have fun discussing in your groups!
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest
December 18, 2025
This has to be the most unique book I’ve read this year, perhaps ever. Ramsey walks through the life and works of nine artists. In doing so, Ramsey:
✓highlights general biblical truths as relating to the artist’s masterpieces or his/her (often) dismal life
✓points out immediate application for the reader today
✓provides gospel encouragement and hope
✓moves the reader to see goodness, truth, and beauty in God’s good world
✓literally blows your mind with art history in a compelling and enthralling way
Ramsey, in featuring these sub-creators, naturally and seamlessly draws the reader closer to the Master Artist, Jesus Christ. Truly, this is quite a brilliant read.
Christians are the only people who can view this fallen and dark world realistically, while at the same time perceiving glimpses of current and future beauty through God’s mercy: art is just one way we can behold.
Strong point: Ramsey does not—in no way—romanticize the artists' lives. He tells the both the successful and God-honoring parts, as well as the the tragic, devilish, sad, and miserable seasons of their lives that made up the artist. And in many ways, the struggle, the wilderness, the pain produced the work on which we so readily feast our eyes. These artists remind us that life is difficult, pain is real, but through our sufferings we experience “beauty, wonder, and worth in people in ways few others ever” will (144).
Weak point: While there is ample evidences of the artists’ professional lives, at times—perhaps—there were stretches made on some of the artists’ spiritual lives. I would love to see more of the individual’s faith more robustly defended; albeit, that information is probably scant. In all, evidence is lacking that some of the artists were indeed Christians apart from mere cultural or simply through painting of biblical scenes. However, I don’t believe this negates any of the lessons, encouragements, or wisdom drawn from their lives.
Regardless, every chapter was unique. Every chapter had me yearning for more. I did not want this book to end.
✓ Find goodness, beauty, and truth in this book. Be pointed to the Master Artist. Hone your craft. Then go visit an art museum.
✓highlights general biblical truths as relating to the artist’s masterpieces or his/her (often) dismal life
✓points out immediate application for the reader today
✓provides gospel encouragement and hope
✓moves the reader to see goodness, truth, and beauty in God’s good world
✓literally blows your mind with art history in a compelling and enthralling way
Ramsey, in featuring these sub-creators, naturally and seamlessly draws the reader closer to the Master Artist, Jesus Christ. Truly, this is quite a brilliant read.
Christians are the only people who can view this fallen and dark world realistically, while at the same time perceiving glimpses of current and future beauty through God’s mercy: art is just one way we can behold.
Strong point: Ramsey does not—in no way—romanticize the artists' lives. He tells the both the successful and God-honoring parts, as well as the the tragic, devilish, sad, and miserable seasons of their lives that made up the artist. And in many ways, the struggle, the wilderness, the pain produced the work on which we so readily feast our eyes. These artists remind us that life is difficult, pain is real, but through our sufferings we experience “beauty, wonder, and worth in people in ways few others ever” will (144).
“Our wounds are not beautiful in themselves; the story behind their healing is. But how can we tell the story of our healing if we hide the wounds that need it” (2)?
Weak point: While there is ample evidences of the artists’ professional lives, at times—perhaps—there were stretches made on some of the artists’ spiritual lives. I would love to see more of the individual’s faith more robustly defended; albeit, that information is probably scant. In all, evidence is lacking that some of the artists were indeed Christians apart from mere cultural or simply through painting of biblical scenes. However, I don’t believe this negates any of the lessons, encouragements, or wisdom drawn from their lives.
Regardless, every chapter was unique. Every chapter had me yearning for more. I did not want this book to end.
“Every one of us faces limitations of many kinds. This should not surprise us. Every one of us must make certain choices in life that take other options off the table. Of course, this isn’t always a negative…Here is why community is so vitally important. Without it, we might be tempted to believe that the limitations and hardships we experience are unique to us and are therefore ours alone to navigate. That just isn’t the case” (123).
✓ Find goodness, beauty, and truth in this book. Be pointed to the Master Artist. Hone your craft. Then go visit an art museum.
January 28, 2023
I’m the worst book reviewer in all of life. Super inconsistent, and sometimes I look back on titles I’ve read in the past and wondered what in the world I was thinking. But I’m not completely arbitrary about it. In fact, I have several requirements for giving out 5-star reviews. Here are just a few: Would I read it again? Did it accomplish what I think it intended to? Did I learn something from it, or was I challenged in any way? Would I recommend it to others?
That is all a lot of introduction to say that this book earned its 5 stars by answering all of those questions with a resounding YES. I NEED to read it again just to remind myself of everything I marked and underlined to remember later. I certainly have a much deeper appreciation of art and stronger desire to learn more about it. AND I learned more than I could begin to summarize here.
All in all, this was an absolute delight to read.
That is all a lot of introduction to say that this book earned its 5 stars by answering all of those questions with a resounding YES. I NEED to read it again just to remind myself of everything I marked and underlined to remember later. I certainly have a much deeper appreciation of art and stronger desire to learn more about it. AND I learned more than I could begin to summarize here.
All in all, this was an absolute delight to read.
March 13, 2024
I was lucky to have a fourth grade teacher who introduced me to the classic art of the Western World. So I have an appreciation for it, but not a lot of knowledge. Ramsey's book is an excellent introduction to ten artists. He tells their background story, describes their creative struggles, and explains the styles and techniques that set them apart from other artists. (The appendix has a helpful chapter on how to visit an art museum without being overwhelmed.)
This book is a wonderful compilation of good writing, and a deft weaving together of biography, art history and devotional thoughts.
This book is a wonderful compilation of good writing, and a deft weaving together of biography, art history and devotional thoughts.
April 28, 2022
This was a fascinating and moving read about some of the most iconic visual artists the world has ever known, and it was great to be introduced to some amazing visual artists I did not know anything about such as Edward Hopper, Lilias Trotter, and Henry O. Tanner. I highly recommend this book to any artist.
Read
May 27, 2024Audio-reading this book was pure pleasure for me. I enjoyed every bit of it so much! This is a series of profiles of famous artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Henry Tanner, and Lilias Trotter, among others. There are ten chapters.
The author is a Christian pastor. He managed to include Christian insights with each of the artist profiles. I'm a Christian, so for me that was much appreciated, however the artist profiles were the dominant part of the book; it wasn't just preaching.
This book introduced me to a few artists who weren't on my radar at all. One of them was Henry Tanner, an African American artist who moved to France. He did a few beautiful paintings of father-son African American life then switched to painting scenes from the Bible. These were amazing. All his art was amazing, but as I looked over his religious paintings like The Resurrection of Lazarus (fictionalized but beautiful) or The Annunciation, I really couldn't take my eyes off those paintings for a long, long time. It was a deep dive into the intention and execution of precious artwork for me, and I recommend, if you haven't seen his art, please go look for his name on the internet.
I learned something about every artist profiled. I'm an artist and find this all so very inspiring! I might even want to reread this book, and that's very rare for me.
Recommended! Recommended!
The author is a Christian pastor. He managed to include Christian insights with each of the artist profiles. I'm a Christian, so for me that was much appreciated, however the artist profiles were the dominant part of the book; it wasn't just preaching.
This book introduced me to a few artists who weren't on my radar at all. One of them was Henry Tanner, an African American artist who moved to France. He did a few beautiful paintings of father-son African American life then switched to painting scenes from the Bible. These were amazing. All his art was amazing, but as I looked over his religious paintings like The Resurrection of Lazarus (fictionalized but beautiful) or The Annunciation, I really couldn't take my eyes off those paintings for a long, long time. It was a deep dive into the intention and execution of precious artwork for me, and I recommend, if you haven't seen his art, please go look for his name on the internet.
I learned something about every artist profiled. I'm an artist and find this all so very inspiring! I might even want to reread this book, and that's very rare for me.
Recommended! Recommended!
January 5, 2024
2024 reads: 03
Rating: 5 stars
Incredible. Inspiring. Ramsey really brings the humanity out of the artists and their work. Not very far behind is the Author of beauty, truth, and goodness in Ramsey's account. Superb.
Rating: 5 stars
Incredible. Inspiring. Ramsey really brings the humanity out of the artists and their work. Not very far behind is the Author of beauty, truth, and goodness in Ramsey's account. Superb.
December 10, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
I had little to no interest in art history before this one. I also rarely frequent art museums though I do enjoy creating art from time to time, but this book cultivated a new appreciation for art in me. A great read.
I had little to no interest in art history before this one. I also rarely frequent art museums though I do enjoy creating art from time to time, but this book cultivated a new appreciation for art in me. A great read.
May 3, 2025
You know how sometimes you read a book that unlocks something in you that you know has always been there, but you might not have been able to put to words? Yea that’s what this book did with me and a love for art.
Shoutout my friend who bought it for me saying, “I think you’ll love this.” He was right.
Shoutout my friend who bought it for me saying, “I think you’ll love this.” He was right.
July 11, 2025
This was such an intriguing read! Author Russ Ramsey provides a tour through art history and philosophy, and gives detailed biography of several of the world’s most accomplished painters and sculptors. Each chapter includes meditations on both the profanity and beauty in these artists’ lives, returns to the Gospel, and points to the ultimate fulfillment of all human longing for goodness, beauty, and truth in Christ.
I also listened to the accompanying lecture series, and am learning how to visit art museums in a more enriching way for having done so.
Hearing my city’s art museum, the Nelson-Atkins, mentioned made me grateful to live in a city rich with art and history and free access to view such famous pieces. 🎨
I also listened to the accompanying lecture series, and am learning how to visit art museums in a more enriching way for having done so.
Hearing my city’s art museum, the Nelson-Atkins, mentioned made me grateful to live in a city rich with art and history and free access to view such famous pieces. 🎨
April 7, 2025
The author considers a number of major works of art from the Western world—each chapter looking at a different work of art. He gives the background of the artist, how the work was produced, and what it represents (in general, but also for the artist and their history). The author draws moral and spiritual lessons from each work of art. The book is enjoyable, and well written. A good example of how beauty can point towards God.
June 15, 2024
A pastor writing about art with such an eye for beauty and story. Loved this book!
July 3, 2023
Excellent introduction to art appreciation. Ramsey tells engaging stories about each of his selected artists, and invites you to appreciate one of their most famous paintings through those stories. I did T just rush through this one but would enjoy a chapter than read other books then remember to come back for another chapter. Lots to reflect upon.
January 23, 2025
I like art, but I don't know much art history. This was a nice introduction. There was some light theology stuff thrown in.
I think Ramsey did a good job in under 250 pages. I would've liked more details about art history and more details about each artist's faith. But I learned a lot, and the list of referenced works at the back was very helpful!
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in learning a little bit of history about a handful of artists.
I think Ramsey did a good job in under 250 pages. I would've liked more details about art history and more details about each artist's faith. But I learned a lot, and the list of referenced works at the back was very helpful!
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in learning a little bit of history about a handful of artists.
November 4, 2025
This book was great! It has really helped me to appreciate and understand the depth of a single piece of artwork, and what that’s worth. I don’t necessarily agree with every theological view point, but overall this book is really interesting, and has helped me understand art, and the wonderful feelings it can bring, while looking at a single painting, and knowing the stories that lie behind it.
March 9, 2024
Officially my favorite Christian art book!!!!!! Even if you aren’t a Christian, there are so many fascinating bits about art, and especially ~stolen~ art. Brb while I take a trip to Boston.
Read
November 25, 2025Second time through. It’s so great. I hope Russ Ramsey writes 100 books like this.
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