
The Vanishing Velázquez
A 19th Century Bookseller's Obsession with a Lost Masterpiece
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Narrated by:
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Siobhan Redmond
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By:
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Laura Cumming
From one of the world's most expert art critics, the incredible true story - part art history and part mystery - of a Velázquez portrait that went missing and the obsessed 19th-century bookseller determined to prove he had found it.
When John Snare, a 19th-century provincial bookseller, traveled to a liquidation auction, he stumbled on a vivid portrait of King Charles I that defied any explanation. The Charles of the painting was young - too young to be king - and yet also too young to be painted by the Flemish painter to which the work was attributed. Snare had found something incredible - but what?
His research brought him to Diego Velázquez, whose long-lost portrait of Prince Charles has eluded art experts for generations. Velázquez (1599-1660) was the official painter of the Madrid court during the time the Spanish Empire teetered on the edge of collapse. When Prince Charles of England - a man wealthy enough to help turn Spain's fortunes - ventured to the court to propose a marriage with a Spanish princess, he allowed just a few hours to sit for his portrait. Snare believed only Velázquez could have met this challenge. But in making his theory public, Snare was ostracized, victim to aristocrats and critics who accused him of fraud, and forced to choose, like Velázquez himself, between art and family.
A thrilling investigation into the complex meaning of authenticity and the unshakable determination that drives both artists and collectors of their work, The Vanishing Velázquez travels from extravagant Spanish courts in the 1700s to the gritty courtrooms and auction houses of 19th-century London and New York. But it is above all a tale of mystery and detection, of tragic mishaps and mistaken identities, of class, politics, snobbery, crime, and almost farcical accident. It is a magnificently crafted pause resister, a testimony to how and why great works of art can affect us to the point of obsession.
©2016 Laura Cumming (P)2016 Simon & SchusterListeners also enjoyed...




















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Grrat book
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Wow! So glad I listened to this!
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While the author explains in great detail the life and struggles of John Snair, she also goes on long tangents describing and interpreting other works, not just by Velasquez, but other painters. It is somewhat relevant to be story in the sense of understanding what made this painting appear to be a Velasquez, and what made it stand out from other works, but I often found myself not remembering what was going on in John Snair's story by the time she was done with her romanticisms, and by the end of the book I realized I have no idea what actually ended up happening with the painting (though there was an exciting story about Las Meninas being saved from a fire towards the end).
So I'm ultimately a little disappointed, as I don't really think I want to listen to the last 4 hours over again to figure out what I feel should have been a little more central and obvious. Still, lots of interesting facts, especially if you've taken some art history classes in your lifetime.
Interesting but not very straightforward
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Art history buff
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Amazing book, excellent performance
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The story of Mr. Snare and his obsession with this one painting is most skillfully presented, well highlighting the enormous difficulty in really defining such a seemingly illusory yet real character.
I enjoyed this book a lot.
A fascinating study of art history
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So, its annoying to hear about pictures you should be able to see.
I ended up skipping parts. . . . but it was good.
would have been nice to have pdfs of the photos
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Art history light
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What was most disappointing about Laura Cumming’s story?
Way too much irrelevant detail. The book dragged. Sounded more like a thesis than an engaging story.Boring!
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Would you try another book from Laura Cumming and/or Siobhan Redmond?
Laura Cumming - yes, Siobhan Redmond - noWould you be willing to try another book from Laura Cumming? Why or why not?
yes, I have the Kindle edition and find the subject matter interesting.What didn’t you like about Siobhan Redmond’s performance?
I found her accent and cadence to be grating.Any additional comments?
I will read the book on Kindle but won't listen to it on Audible.I could not get past the narrator's voice.
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