Rembrandt is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey – The first word that comes to mind when contemplating this book is “beauty.”
Not just the edition – though this one is lovely – or the paintings displayed on the shiny pages, but the manner and tone used by Mr. Ramsey to help us get to know the artists and their work is gentle and loving, to a point of beauty. He calls out their failings, but brings forward their humanity, and shows us the, often difficult and even ugly, lives of the painters with such godly compassion and with such a clear eye to what God can do despite the darkness, that you can’t help but see them as real people – some of whom I hope to meet in heaven one day, despite their failings.
This is my second time reading this book, and as before I came away feeling like I met each of the painters, but this time on a deeper level than before. Getting to know Van Gogh, Tanner, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and others on a deeper level gave me a stronger appreciation of their art and talents, and a greater awe for the Creator who gave them those talents.
Further, the book reminds us how much God can use fallen people, to show each other a tiny glimpse of His glory. When we stand in awe before Starry Night or The Annunciation or The Sacrifice of Isaac, I’m convinced that one of our great attractions is the tiny bit we can see of Him and His beauty – it’s secondhand and through a glass darkly – but it’s there, because He gave it to the artist who tried share it with the world.
As an aside, I have never been to a proper art museum. It is on my list of places I would love to visit!
Rebekah Ryberg nee Jones, is first and foremost a follower of the Living God. She started writing as a little girl, seeking to glorify the Lord with her books and stories…
