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The Vanishing Man
The Vanishing Man: In Pursuit of Velzquez | Laura Cumming
8 posts | 8 read | 14 to read
In 1845, a Reading bookseller named John Snare came across the dirt-blackened portrait of a prince at a country house auction. Suspecting that it might be a long-lost Velzquez, he bought the picture and set out to discover its strange history - a quest that led from fame to ruin and exile. Fusing detection and biography, this book shows how and why great works of art can affect us, even to the point of mania. And on the trail of John Snare, Cumming makes a surprising discovery of her own. But most movingly, The Vanishing Man is an eloquent and passionate homage to the Spanish master Velzquez, bringing us closer to the creation and appreciation of his works than ever before.
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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
39 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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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
11 likes5 comments
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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. 🤦🏻‍♀️trying again tomorrow

Lmstraubie Ugh! At least the time was well spent. Good luck tomorrow! 7y
BookishMarginalia Hope you make it out tomorrow! 7y
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" 7y
Lmstraubie 😂😂😂 Just another benefit of being a reader!!! 7y
12 likes5 comments
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mcctrish
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Theming my reading to my holiday destination

9 likes1 stack add
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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

1 like3 stack adds