How to Read Bible Stories and Myths in Art: Decoding the Old Masters from Giotto to Goya

by Patrick de Rynck

In How to Read Bible Stories and Myths in Art , Patrick De Rynck explores the roots  of Western civilization from three different He introduces the reader to the best-known stories from the Bible and mythology; he presents a selection of exquisite masterpieces by some of the world's greatest painters; and he shows the reader how these painters interpreted these famous scenes.
Using the same highly visual approach that made his How to Read a Painting a popular success, De Rynck shows how artists portrayed the main subjects of Western art. Old Masters such as Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt, and countless others rendered these stirring, poignant, bloodthirsty, and even erotic tales on panel or canvas, in the process creating a familiar way of visualizing our collective imagination.

Genres: Art, Religion, Art History, Nonfiction, History

360 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series from the publisher Abrams on different aspects of art: world history, different periods, symbolism. This entry is of course on symbolism and themes in Greco-Roman mythology, the Bible and classical history from the Proto-Renaissance through the early 19th century. The reproductions are all excellent and in full color with additional panels showing highlighted areas of detail. It's most interesting when there are multiple paintings representing the same event (e.g. Abraham casting out Hagar and Ishmael, Danae and the original golden shower, Vulcan catching Mars and Venus in flagrante) to see where the interpretations merge and differ. The book is arranged alphabetically by subject and in many cases includes the original text as reference from sources ranging from the Bible to Ovid to Livy. I also liked that the author lists the museum where each work of art can be found or if it's in a private collection.

Besides Goya and Giotto, there are works from Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Velazquez (a gorgeous picture representing the Fable of Arachne), Van Eyck, Tintoretto, Titian, Bosch, Brueghels the Elder and Correggio, to name a few.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book but... it might be too much in too few pages? I wanted to know more about the context of how these particular artists created these particular works. Also, I'm not sure I actually learned anything about how to decipher the meaning of artistic symbolism from the examples provided. de Rynck knows his stuff, but he didn't convince me that I need to know it too.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of these books are amazing. I use them as resources, so this and the others are always on a low shelf. You'll appreciate stories, literature, and all the more you learn from such books. Read and enjoy!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an AP World History teacher, art analysis is my weakness. I enjoyed this book and the insights it provided. It obviously will make a good reference book, but I just read one or two pages each night and felt quite cultured as I made slow progress through the book.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super. Makes a good reference for papers in Bible as Lit.

[Julia Deptuła · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!!! The layout is actually genius & the stories are a really great way to revise the Bible/ mythology if U have an exam on it. The book is also amazing to read just for pleasure!

[Ayla Derammelaere · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a big variety of paintings and painters through a period of time, all focusing the themes of biblical images and ancient Greek-Roman mythology. You'll see an image of the complete painting and then details of it, combined with the story it depictures and what lays in the details.
The one thing I found a bit sad is that the explainations stay superficial (I would have prefered a dept-analysis but perhapse I need to read another type of book for that..). But the advantage this way, is that there a lot more paitings that can be discussed.

[Pearl Yusuf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting abbreviated introduction to the subject. I feel like I can look at said paintings with a new eye now.

[Fer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mui interessante como primeiro achegamento para a simbologia mitológico nas pintura clássica. De leitura singela e com suficiente detalhe como para inspirar futuras leituras.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool Book and comical explanations are the coolest.