Sir Ernst Gombrich with 18th century death mask.
Portrait Photography is a visual memory created by gestures, smiles, movements, fleeting looks and impression of what was said, when we had met and trusted each other.
At times those portraits are straightforward, at others they are complex, visually challenging. They are always created from a moment of special affinity, a kind of spiritual kinship, between two different personalities – the photographer and sitter.
Sir Ernst Gombrich was a major art historian of the 20th century.
His academic publications related to psychology of perception like Art and Illusion, The Sense of Order and The Image and the Eye were complimented by one of the best introductions to the history of visual arts: The Story of Art.
The Story of Art was first published in 1950 and currently in its 16th edition.
It is widely regarded as one of the most accessible introductions to the history of visual art. It has sold millions of copies and been translated into more than 30 languages.