A review by gemmamilne
Duveen: The Story of the Most Spectacular Art Dealer of All Time by S.N. Behrman, Glenn Lowry
5.0
I went to Hatchard’s Piccadilly a few weeks ago, climbed up to the fifth floor’s art section, and asked for a recommendation for learning about the art world. The wonderful American gentleman behind the desk, looking at the selection I’d gathered already, said to me in the most gentle way: “I’d be far more comfortable if you’d start with this biography of Duveen.”
And so I started with this and oh god he was right. What a magnificently written account (it’s actually a compilation of New Yorker articles from the 1950s), with plenty of commentary on status, class, peacocking, value and competition, and of course, a brilliant introduction (based on my very limited understanding) to a world which previously felt so alien to me.
I recommend this book 100%, but even more so, I recommend chatting to people who work in book shops. They are the most passionate, fascinating, helpful people (who should be paid more...) who I find are always so keen to send you off on the most magnificent of adventures.
And so I started with this and oh god he was right. What a magnificently written account (it’s actually a compilation of New Yorker articles from the 1950s), with plenty of commentary on status, class, peacocking, value and competition, and of course, a brilliant introduction (based on my very limited understanding) to a world which previously felt so alien to me.
I recommend this book 100%, but even more so, I recommend chatting to people who work in book shops. They are the most passionate, fascinating, helpful people (who should be paid more...) who I find are always so keen to send you off on the most magnificent of adventures.