A Lazy Reader's Review of "How Do We Look: The Body, The Divine, and the Question of Civilization" by Mary Beard

Synopsis

    From prehistoric Mexico to modern Istanbul, Mary Beard looks beyond the familiar canon of Western imagery to explore the history of art, religion, and humanity. Conceived as a gorgeously illustrated accompaniment to “How Do We Look” and “The Eye of Faith,” the famed Civilisations shows on PBS, renowned classicist Mary Beard has created this elegant volume on how we have looked at art. Focusing in Part I on the Olmec heads of early Mesoamerica, the colossal statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III, and the nudes of classical Greece, Beard explores the power, hierarchy, and gender politics of the art of the ancient world, and explains how it came to define the so-called civilized world. In Part II, Beard chronicles some of the most breathtaking religious imagery ever made―whether at Angkor Wat, Ravenna, Venice, or in the art of Jewish and Islamic calligraphers― to show how all religions, ancient and modern, have faced irreconcilable problems in trying to picture the divine. With this classic volume, Beard redefines the Western-and male-centric legacies of Ernst Gombrich and Kenneth Clark.

Review

    Mary Beard’s How Do We Look: The Body in the Ancient World is a thought-provoking exploration of the representation of the human body in ancient art and culture. Drawing from her vast knowledge of classical studies, Beard takes readers on a visual and intellectual journey through historical depictions of the body, starting with ancient Egyptian and Greek sculptures and moving through to Roman art. The book is as much about history as it is about the ways in which the body has been symbolized, idealized, and politicized across cultures and eras.

    One of the book’s major strengths lies in Beard's ability to blend scholarship with accessibility. Her writing is engaging and thoughtful, making complex ideas about art history and ancient philosophy approachable to both scholars and casual readers alike. Through a variety of case studies, including well-known statues like the Venus de Milo, and lesser-known artifacts, Beard encourages readers to think critically about how we interpret visual representations of the body.

    However, despite its many strengths, How Do We Look isn't without its flaws. At times, the book can feel a bit repetitive, with certain themes rehashed across chapters, which might test the patience of some readers. Moreover, while Beard is undeniably an expert, there are moments where her approach could feel slightly distant to those who are not as familiar with the subject matter. Some readers might find themselves wishing for a more cohesive narrative that ties the various topics together in a more structured way.

    The book’s visuals, as expected in a work focused on the representation of the body, are crucial to its impact. However, while the images are certainly compelling, they occasionally seem like afterthoughts, with Beard’s analysis sometimes failing to dive as deeply into the specific details of each image as one might expect.

    In terms of its academic rigor, How Do We Look is insightful, but it doesn't quite reach the depth of some of Beard’s previous works, like SPQR. The narrative structure feels more fragmented, and while this allows for a wide-ranging exploration, it also sacrifices the sense of a single, unified argument.

    Overall, How Do We Look is an engaging read that offers a fresh perspective on the body and its representation in the ancient world. It’s a solid book for those with an interest in art history, classical studies, or cultural history, though it might leave some readers wishing for a more cohesive, less repetitive exploration. 3.75 stars feels like a fair rating — it's definitely worth reading, but it doesn't quite reach the level of brilliance that one might expect from Beard at her best.

Feb. 18, 2025 – March 6, 2025

★★★⭑⭑⭑☆