Fabulous read! I have every book but Moser. That will be going on my Christmas list! In January of this year, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art had a wonderful exhibition called “World Made Wondrous,” which recreated a Dutch collector’s cabinet to examine the political and colonial histories of European collecting practices in the 17th century.
The “thesis” was that as Europeans assembled their curiosity cabinets, they ordered the world in deliberate ways and asserted judgments and hierarchies on the value of natural materials, labor, craftsmanship, and human worth. It was absolutely fascinating and certainly one of the most well executed exhibits I’ve ever seen.
One of the finest books on art runs on a parallel path to your own so I would highly recommend Duveen by SN Behrmann, who was actually a journalist for The New Yorker. His pithy, gossipy account of Joseph Duveen, arguably the greatest art dealer of all time, brilliantly captures the caprice of the man and his age. In his pomp, roughly 1895-1935, Duveen had virtually every tycoon you can think of in his pocket. His masterstroke was realising at the turn of the last century that America was full of money but no art whereas Europe was full of art but no money!
An excellent article, thank you. I love the Dutch Masters, and the glorious light they bring to their paintings. I enjoyed The Goldfinch” and I’m going to look for the other books. I appreciate the recommendations, thanks!💕
Really appreciate this positive feedback, Cristoffa. I am also a big fan of Simon Schama -- he has a real talent for making academic history really accessible without dumbing it down
Thank you for this - the Moser has gone straight on my Christmas list, though I might hold off reading it until I've read Laura Cummings' Thunderclap, about Fabritius.
Whenever I look at The Goldfinch I think of Bruegel's Two Monkeys, which was only painted a few years later - another small painting of a seemingly small subject, also thick with allegory (though, as ever with Bruegel, there's lots of scope for arguing about what, exactly, the allegory is!)
Fabulous read! I have every book but Moser. That will be going on my Christmas list! In January of this year, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art had a wonderful exhibition called “World Made Wondrous,” which recreated a Dutch collector’s cabinet to examine the political and colonial histories of European collecting practices in the 17th century.
The “thesis” was that as Europeans assembled their curiosity cabinets, they ordered the world in deliberate ways and asserted judgments and hierarchies on the value of natural materials, labor, craftsmanship, and human worth. It was absolutely fascinating and certainly one of the most well executed exhibits I’ve ever seen.
I'm impressed that you have all of these books already! You're clearly well-read in the world of Dutch paintings - are there any I missed out on?
I'm obsessed with the idea of the cabinet of curiosities. That sounds like a wonderful exhibition.
One of the finest books on art runs on a parallel path to your own so I would highly recommend Duveen by SN Behrmann, who was actually a journalist for The New Yorker. His pithy, gossipy account of Joseph Duveen, arguably the greatest art dealer of all time, brilliantly captures the caprice of the man and his age. In his pomp, roughly 1895-1935, Duveen had virtually every tycoon you can think of in his pocket. His masterstroke was realising at the turn of the last century that America was full of money but no art whereas Europe was full of art but no money!
Duveen is an icon!
I love the art book series! Please make more
Thank you Lili! What kinds of movements would you like to see next?
Impressionism!
An excellent article, thank you. I love the Dutch Masters, and the glorious light they bring to their paintings. I enjoyed The Goldfinch” and I’m going to look for the other books. I appreciate the recommendations, thanks!💕
The Goldfinch is a magical novel, and an even better painting ;)
Shall I be able to spare time enough to read the whole of them?
There is always time to read!!
By coincidence I had an email from the Fitzwilliam about their upcoming Jan Davidsz de Heem exhibition this morning, which I've definitely got on my wish list. https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/exhibitions/picturing-excess-jan-davidsz-de-heem
Thank you for bringing this to my attention!! Next time I am teaching in Cambridge I will definitely check it out <3
So Cool Rebecca, and a good explore.
A big fan of Simon Schama from a long time ago.
Enjoy v much what you share.
Interesting. Have a lovely painting of two finches by modern Aus artist in the snow. No doubt influenced.
Look forward to learning more from you.
Really appreciate this positive feedback, Cristoffa. I am also a big fan of Simon Schama -- he has a real talent for making academic history really accessible without dumbing it down
Thank you for this - the Moser has gone straight on my Christmas list, though I might hold off reading it until I've read Laura Cummings' Thunderclap, about Fabritius.
Whenever I look at The Goldfinch I think of Bruegel's Two Monkeys, which was only painted a few years later - another small painting of a seemingly small subject, also thick with allegory (though, as ever with Bruegel, there's lots of scope for arguing about what, exactly, the allegory is!)
'Thunderclap' was nearly on this list!! I must check out that painting by Bruegel. Sounds really rich and interesting.
Absolutely loved the goldfinch! It feels like such a Christmas-time read for me as well 🫀