Rembrandt Is in the Wind
Rembrandt Is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art Through the Eyes of Faith
By: Russ Ramsey
“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.
More Book Club Discussion Questions
What painting discussed in this book resonated most with you? Why?
“We were created to create. When human beings do the work of creation—bringing something into being that did not previously exist—we reflect that part of God as Creator.”
What is the last thing you created? How did you feel about it when you were finished?“Artists draw inspiration from other artists because beauty doesn’t just fill us with wonder; it drives us to go create beautiful things ourselves.”
Describe a time where you were inspired by something beautiful to create something yourself.“Our wounds are not beautiful in themselves; the story behind their healing is.”
Do you have a wound that has healed and become a beautiful part of your life? How could you create something to share that story with others?“It is hard to render an honest self-portrait if we want to conceal what is unattractive and hide what’s broken. We want to appear beautiful. But when we do this, we hide what needs redemption—what we trust Christ to redeem. And everything redeemed by Christ becomes beautiful.”
If you’re comfortable with your group, talk about what an honest self-portrait of yourself would look like. Not the physical features of your body, but the brokenness that needs to be redeemed by Christ. Spend a few minutes praying for each other to see beauty come from that brokenness.“The pursuit of goodness, the pursuit of truth, and the pursuit of beauty are, in fact, foundational to the health of any community.”
How have you seen these three things at work in your own community in a healthy way?Maria Popova said, “To name a thing is to acknowledge its existence as separate from everything else that has a name; to confer upon it the dignity of autonomy while at the same time affirming its belonging with the rest of the nameable world; to transform its strangeness into familiarity, which is the root of empathy.”
What is important about a name? How would you feel if you were forced to change your name? How would a child feel if they grew up without a name? How is art associated with the task of ‘naming’?“Not only are we drawn to beauty, we are the only creatures who engage in certain behaviors purely for the sake of encountering beauty.”
What are some things that you do just for the sake of encountering beauty?“Living with limits is one of the ways we enter into beauty we would not have otherwise seen, good work we would not have chosen, and relationships we would not have treasured.”
The story of Michelangelo David sculpture was meant to show us the artist’s struggle with his limitations and even the stone’s limitations as a material and a structure. What are some limits we have as human that you are thankful for?“Technology shapes art.”
The story of Vermeer explored a technological advancement that aided his work. What new technologies have been developed that you’ve seen impact today’s art renderings?Many well-known artists worked in the same studios or were friends, working in community and learning from each other. Which artist ‘pairing’ was the most surprising to you? What kind of community do you have around you and how has it helped you grow?
Which era of art do you enjoy the most? Why? (Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionism, Postimpressionism, Expressionism, Realism, Cubism, Surrealism, Pop Art, other?
Choose one artist talked about in this book and look at as many artworks they did as you can— chronologically. Compare and contrast.
“We play a role in blowing on the embers of ‘whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable. Whatever is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things’—and be a part of them.”
Have you seen or experienced art that did not fit into this list? What was that like?Do you think it’s harder or easier to become a successful artist today than it was in previous centuries? What does art success look like today?
“This is the power of art. It happens in time and space, but it points to the eternal. It takes the objects and ideas it finds lying around, the things of the here and now, and assembles them into something that belongs to a world outside of time. The trick for artists is to believe this is the true nature of their work, especially while they are in the process of making it, whether it sells or not.”
How does this principle apply to your own work, artistic or otherwise? What truths do you need to believe about what you’re doing whether ‘it sells or not’?“If only people could look beyond their imagined impressions of others, if only we could see each other as we really are and not as exaggerated stereotypes, if only a genuine curiosity about the lives of others formed our pursuit to know them, then so many of the forces that divide us would be emptied of their power. We would see the common human experiences of joy and sorrow, love and loss, struggle and victory in those around us, and we would count it all sacred. Understanding would replace ignorance. Respect would overcome resistance.”
This quote is taken from the chapter of Henry O. Tanner, a Black artist who became known for his European-style paintings and Scriptural renderings rather than his African American genre paintings. Reflect on the choices Tanner had to make during the years he was alive. Knowing the current racial discord in America, how does this quote speak to you?“Loneliness tells us something true. It doesn’t grow from an evil root. It comes from a God-given desire buried deep inside us all to know we’re not alone. It comes from a hunger for fulfillment, peace, and belonging, and it affirms our desire for love and acceptance. Loneliness awakens in us a passionate protest against isolation.”
Edward Hopper’s paintings created scenes with loneliness and isolation, a reflection of his and his wife’s life. We’ve all experienced loneliness at some point in our lives. What is your typical reaction to loneliness? Does it drive you to anger and lashing out at those who try to connect with you?Lilias Trotter wrote, ‘I see clear as daylight now, that I cannot dedicate myself to painting in the way that he means and continue to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.’
John Ruskin had seen the potential in Lilias and pleaded with her to continue her artwork. She chose instead to live a life of missionary ministry in Algiers. She gave up something she loved and was good at to use her time and resources to serve the Lord. Is there something in your life that you engage in at the expense of service to God? How do you know if something must be laid down in order to advance God’s kingdom?“Learn to contribute beauty to this world—modest though your part may be… This world is short on masters, and consequently, it’s a world short on joy too.”
How are you contributing beauty to the world? Ramsey argues that the harder we work at something, the more we enjoy it. Do you agree with this? What is something that you can become a master in?Bonus: watch Tim’s Vermeer which explores the device Vermeer used to paint so detailed without any sketches.
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