E.H. Gombrich
E.H. Gombrich Biography
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Erich Hubert Hermann Gombrich was born on March 30, 1909, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary. He is commonly known as E.H. Gombrich or Ernst H. Gombrich.
#### Birth and Death Dates
March 30, 1909 – November 3, 2001
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
Gombrich was an Austrian-British art historian, author, and academic. He held dual citizenship of Austria and the United Kingdom.
#### Early Life and Background
Born into a Jewish family in Vienna, Gombrich's early life was marked by a passion for art and history. His father, Moritz Gombrich, was an art dealer, while his mother, Fanny (née Reiner), was a pianist. Gombrich developed an interest in art at a young age, often accompanying his father to exhibitions and auctions.
Gombrich's academic pursuits took him to the University of Vienna, where he studied art history under the guidance of Julius von Schlosser. His time at the university laid the foundation for his future success as a renowned art historian. In 1928, Gombrich received his doctorate in art history from the University of Vienna.
#### Major Accomplishments
Gombrich's remarkable career spanned over seven decades, earning him numerous accolades and recognition within the academic community. Some of his most significant accomplishments include:
Director of the Warburg Institute: Gombrich served as the director of the Warburg Institute in London from 1959 to 1976. During his tenure, he oversaw significant expansions and transformations, cementing the institute's reputation as a leading center for art historical research.
Academic Contributions: Gombrich published numerous groundbreaking works on art history, including _The Story of Art_ (1950), which became a bestseller and has since been translated into over 30 languages. This seminal work provides an accessible introduction to the world of art, from prehistoric times to modern art movements.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Gombrich's extensive bibliography includes:
_The Story of Art_ (1950) - a comprehensive survey of art history that has become a classic in its field.
_Meditations on a Hobby Horse and Other Essays on the Prehistory of European Art_ (1963) - a collection of essays exploring the early development of Western art.
_The Preference for the Primitive: Ornaments and the Sources of Style in Art and Architecture_ (2002) - a thought-provoking examination of the role of ornamentation in shaping artistic style.
#### Impact and Legacy
Gombrich's profound impact on the field of art history is immeasurable. He played a pivotal role in shaping the discipline, inspiring generations of scholars with his groundbreaking research and pedagogical innovations.
As an academic, he was committed to making art history accessible to a broad audience. His writing style, which blended intellectual rigor with engaging storytelling, helped bridge the gap between specialist knowledge and general understanding.
Gombrich's contributions extend beyond academia; they have also had a significant impact on popular culture. His work has inspired numerous artists, designers, and creatives, who continue to draw inspiration from his ideas and perspectives.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
E.H. Gombrich is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
Pioneering Art Historian: He was a trailblazer in the field of art history, pushing boundaries with his innovative approaches to research and pedagogy.
Accessible Writing Style: His ability to communicate complex ideas in an engaging, accessible manner has made him a beloved figure among students, scholars, and general readers alike.
Enduring Legacy: Gombrich's work continues to influence art history, art education, and popular culture, ensuring his legacy endures long after his passing.
Quotes by E.H. Gombrich
The artist, no less than the writer, needs a vocabulary before he can embark on a “copy” of reality.
The artist gives the beholder increasingly ‘more to do,’ he draws him into the magic circle of creation and allows him to experience something of the thrill of ‘making’ which had once been the privilege of the artist.
Later in his life Gautama told the story of his decision in a sermon: ‘And so it came about that, in the full freshness and enjoyment of my youth, in glowing health, my hair still black, and against the wishes of my weeping and imploring elders, I shaved my head and beard, dressed in coarse robes, and forsook the shelter of my home.
The more we become aware of the enormous pull in man to repeat what he has learned, the greater will be our admiration for those exceptional beings who could break this spell and make a significant advance on which others could build.
Think of it like this. If you are sad because you can’t have something you want – maybe a book or a toy – you can do one of two things: you can do your best to get it, or you can stop wanting it. Either way, if you succeed, you won’t be sad any more.
One of Russia’s tsars, around 1580, was known as Ivan the Terrible, and rightly so. Beside him Nero was mild.
It’s bad idea to try to prevent people from knowing their own history. If you want to do anything new you must first make sure you know what people have tried before.
At first there’s nothing to see, but you feel a sort of weariness that tells you something is in the air.
The history of the world is, sadly, not a pretty poem. It offers little variety, and it is nearly always the unpleasant things that are repeated, over and over again.