The Vanishing Velázquez

A 19th Century Bookseller's Obsession with a Lost Masterpiece

By: Laura Cumming

Narrated by: Siobhan Redmond

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

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 & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Siobhan Redmond is a narrator of considerable subtlety and expressiveness, and a fine complement to Laura Cumming’s own considerable powers of description and evocation." ( AudioFile)

Wow! So glad I listened to this!

Great story, Very intriguing on so many levels. I picked this up because I’m traveling to Spain and I wanted to learn about Spanish art. I learned about so much more. Great reader too.

Grrat book

Awesome. Rich in historical detail. Thrilling and intriguing from beginning to end. Can't wait to read other works from this author.

Interesting but not very straightforward

I was intrigued by the description of this book, and was caught off guard when, within the first couple of hours, it seemed the Velasquez had been found and proven! I thought to myself, "what is she going to talk about for another 6 hours?" Of course, to my delight it turned out to be more complicated than just that, but I still ended up finishing this book feeling a little confused.

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.

Art history buff

I liked the premise. Being visual - it was hard to follow but I enjoyed the story and it gave me lots of insight into the importance of provenance- I think I might buy the book and read it .

Amazing book, excellent performance

For any art fan, this is a must. Excellently researched and very entertaining. Voice performance is wonderful and adds to the experience.

A fascinating study of art history

I have to admit that, at first, I was only a little intrigued by this book. I also found the narrators accent somewhat difficult in the beginning. But before long I found myself deeply drawn into the mystery, the cultural surroundings of the artist and the collector, the beautiful, almost poetic, discussions of the artists style, the historical perspective, the writing, and the unique lilt of the narrators speech pattern which, as I progressed through the book I found I enjoyed more and more. This book delves into many layers of obsessions and art, how those intertwine, and have been perceived across time. I found the writing illuminating, passionate, and extremely well researched, as well as thought provoking, and lovingly crafted. Of course seeing anything as a masterpiece is purely in the eye of the beholder, and frankly, I am still coming to grips with my personal felling a about Velazquez, but I have a new perspective on him and his works, thanks to Laura Cumming and Siobhan Redmond, who have very masterfully brought him and this enchanting story to my attention.

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.

would have been nice to have pdfs of the photos

lots of long discussions about pictures that you have to look up on the internet, if you can figure out the right name and spelling. . .

So, its annoying to hear about pictures you should be able to see.

I ended up skipping parts. . . . but it was good.

Art history light

The book is a wonderful story about a printer under the spell of a master work. The book does a great job of explaining art history and collecting practices of the past. The passion of the main figure speaks to contemp

Boring!

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.

Overwritten!

This book is so egregiously overwritten that it becomes almost impossible to finish. if you erase the use of "perhaps, " possibly" and "it may be that", you might find the bones of the story of John Snare. Otherwise it is one author ' s gushing praise to Velasquez exaggerated beyond any credibility as a critique of the artist.