The Devil in the Gallery How Scandal, Shock, and Rivalry Shaped the Art World by Noah Charney5/24/2021 This book has been waiting on my Kindle for quite a while since grabbing it from Netgalley with a goal to further my fine arts self education. It’s by a renown author and art expert and professor, who specializes in art crime. It’s reasonable in length, accessible in style and even has art in it, albeit viewing some of the world’s greatest art on a small black and white screen is far from ideal.
I love art. Enjoying it in museums (one day, again) and reading about it (an anytime pleasure). I’ve not too long ago read a book about art frauds for which this author provided a preface. This book takes a different approach, specializing in famous scandals and rivalries, from the well known (legendary really in that respect) figures to the lesser known but nevertheless bitter feuds and salacious skeletons in closets. And, of course, all the great works these rivalries have inspired. Consider, Sistine Chapel…Raphael’s backfired trick on Michelangelo. That’s two Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles right there. In fact, this book makes an excellent case for why Raphael should have been the Donatello of the team, it’s a generational thing. That’s just one of the great many randomly awesome things you’ll learn from reading this book. It isn’t just about art, it’s about psychology and sociology. Things that explain why the two of the world’s wealthiest artists produce art in factory like environments. And graffiti wars. And collector’s markets. Whether you’re interested in art for art’s sake or as a business investment or as a conversation subject, whether you’re passionate about the great masters’ lives or works or even if you just like a good scandal or many…there’s something in this book you’ll enjoy. I enjoyed all of it. It was very much like attending an engaging erudite and entertaining lecture for the sheer pleasure of self edification. Whatever madness coursed through artists’ veins, whatever wildness guided their lives and their brushes, the beauty they’ve given us is undeniable. And this book it for people who can’t resist a good behind the scenes story. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
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