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The Vanishing Velázquez
The Vanishing Velázquez: A 19th Century Bookseller’s Obsession with a Lost Masterpiece | Laura Cumming
8 posts | 8 read | 14 to read
From one of the world’s most expert art critics, the incredible true story—part art history and part mystery—of a Velazquez portrait that went missing and the obsessed nineteenth-century bookseller determined to prove he had found it. When John Snare, a nineteenth-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 Velazquez, whose long-lost portrait of Prince Charles has eluded art experts for generations. Velazquez (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 Velazquez 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 Velazquez 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 Velazquez travels from extravagant Spanish courts in the 1700s to the gritty courtrooms and auction houses of nineteenth-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 page-turner, a testimony to how and why great works of art can affect us to the point of obsession.
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Severnmeadows
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‘Velazquez, stepping momentarily free of the shadows with his brush, visibly declares that this world is all his, that he can make a king and queen appear and yet disappear, that he can paint both in and out of focus, so to speak, knowing that the eye shifts continually, seeing sharply only on what it focuses for a second, and that it cannot take in the entire scene at once.‘

I‘d like to quote more- Laura Cumming writes so well, so vividly.

JenniferP I really liked that book. It had me searching out Velazquez paintings to see in real life. 5y
Severnmeadows @JenniferP it‘s made me feel the same way - a few days in Madrid would be a good plan... 5y
Lindy @Severnmeadows Stacked. I love reading about artists and collectors. @JenniferP If you are going to Barcelona, Picasso‘s Las Meninas series is wonderful at the Museu Picasso. He was fascinated by Velasquez. 5y
MayJasper I don't think I would ever have gone for this book if it wasn't for what you said about the good writing. Thanks 5y
Severnmeadows @MayJasper You‘re welcome! 😊 5y
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mcctrish
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Pickpick

I am not a huge non fiction reader but this was great on many levels. I got it last year for Christmas because we were going to Spain and I was really looking forward to going to the Prado and the Reina Sofia. This book chronicles a man‘s ( John Snare) obsession with a portrait he claimed was by Velázquez and the lengths he went to prove his point. It talks about the artist, his life, times & art and Snare and all he went through

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JenniferP
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My current reads - plus a cup of genmaicha! #teaandbooks

Graywacke Hi. As a guess, if you‘re interested in Litsy and trying to make sense of it, start with @RaimeyGallant ‘s post here : https://raimeygallant.com/2017/10/31/litsytips/ 6y
JenniferP Very helpful, thanks #Graywacke 6y
RaimeyGallant And welcome to Litsy from me too! #LitsyWelcomeWagon If you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
JenniferP Thanks @RaimeyGallant! (edited) 6y
LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome to Litsy! Here are direct links to #Litsytips: http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU. There‘s lots of fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! Check out @LitsyHappenings for details. 6y
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kendrastephaniekaryn
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Since I have to place my first ever #bookoutlet order while shopping for #summersantagoespostal, I purchased a few goodies for myself. I'm really looking forward to receiving all of these! 😇 #bookhaul

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mcctrish
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Got a fair bit of reading done on the plane waiting for take off, about 3 hours. Then it was cancelled. 🤦ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸trying again tomorrow

Lmstraubie Ugh! At least the time was well spent. Good luck tomorrow! 8y
BookishMarginalia Hope you make it out tomorrow! 8y
mcctrish Truth be told @Lmstraubie and @BookishMarginalia I didn't even realize at first ? but there were some people pacing that caught my eye and I was like " what the hell is going on, sit freaking down" 8y
Lmstraubie 😂😂😂 Just another benefit of being a reader!!! 8y
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mcctrish
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Theming my reading to my holiday destination

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ElizabethAndino
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TheSloanRanger
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Pickpick

More reviews up on the blog! The Vanishing Velazquez is one of the most wonderful books I've ever read, reminding me of all the things I love about history and art history, my two university majors. Absolutely stunning.
(Of course, it being about my favourite artist didn't hurt!)
#history #arthistory #lauracumming #nonfiction #thevanishingvelazquez #diegovelazquez

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