History shapes art, and art records history—Reflections on Reading Gardner's Art Through the Ages

Gardner's Art Through the Ages is a textbook for American art history major students. It's one of the heaviest and thickest books I've ever read—nearly a thousand pages and weighing over three kilograms. Each reading session exercises both my brain and my physical strength. Unlike The Story of Art, this book presents art through a historical framework, offering a more comprehensive overview though with less depth. It suits readers seeking foundational art knowledge and also functions as an art encyclopedia for reference.

For art beginners, books alone are insufficient—seeing artworks in person is crucial. Two-dimensional artworks like paintings, unless large-scale, may not feel vastly different in person versus in books. However, three-dimensional art—sculptures, architecture, and crafts—is difficult to fully appreciate through books alone. This book's greatest value lies in deepening understanding of artworks you've already seen in person and discovering appealing pieces you haven't yet encountered, allowing you to plan visits based on its guidance.

Compiled by Americans, this book naturally focuses on Western art history, with limited coverage of other regions. Artistic dominance shifted across different areas throughout history. Early centers of art were primarily in the Middle East and Egypt. Since I haven't visited either, I've noted places I wish to see—such as the pyramids and the Temple of Abu Simbel—to later combine the book's insights with my own experiences when I travel there. The classical period's artistic centers were Greece and the Roman Empire. While I haven't visited Greece or Turkey, I have been to Rome. This gives me a deeper appreciation for Roman architecture and sculpture, especially the Pantheon. Looking at the book's images brings back the sacred moment when sunlight streamed through its dome. The Middle Ages spanned over a thousand years, with art largely confined to religious contexts. While there are notable architectural, sculptural, and painterly works from this period, I personally find them less appealing—likely because I don't have a strong interest in religion. My favorite period is the Renaissance. I've seen many Renaissance artworks in places like Florence, the Vatican, and the Louvre in Paris—especially Michelangelo's sculptures and frescoes, along with paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. Even without any art knowledge, these pieces evoke a profound sense of beauty. As history unfolded, the center of artistic influence gradually shifted to France, Northern Europe, and the United States. My time in France was brief, primarily spent at the Louvre and Versailles. While these sites house an extraordinary collection of masterpieces, I regrettably lacked the time to fully appreciate them. I'll need to plan a return visit to do them justice. I've never visited Northern Europe or the United States. While I've heard much about subsequent movements like Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Modernism, and Postmodernism, and seen many examples in books, I've rarely encountered them in person. I feel I haven't fully grasped their essence yet. Reading this book's overview gave me a basic understanding of their developmental trajectory. When I eventually have the chance to see these works in person, I'll revisit the descriptions in the book.