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A review by discomagpie
An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
4.0
I gave this book 4.25/5 stars on InsatiableBooksluts.com.
Review excerpt:
"People who aren’t familiar with Martin outside of his films and comedy may not realize that he is an avid art collector. Object rests solidly on a foundation formed by the world of art–not so much the world of creating art, but the world of trading art, an aspect of the industry that only employees or art lovers with significant cash usually get to experience. Martin takes us behind the scenes of auctions, galleries, art theft (something close to Martin’s own heart) and discusses the nature of contemporary art and the differences between the emotional and the monetary value of art (“Provenance, subject matter, rarity, and perfection made a painting not just a painting, but a prize.”). Martin weaves the art geekery into a story about Lacey Yeager, a modern woman reminiscent of Holly Golightly, if Holly Golightly had used her chutzpah to make her own way instead of using it to land a man who could take care of her. Daniel, an art writer and confidant of Lacey, narrates this book that follows her through art education, her work in various positions in the art industry, her relationships and her sometimes-underhanded deeds, touching only briefly on his own life until close to the end of the book."
Read the full review at our site.
Review excerpt:
"People who aren’t familiar with Martin outside of his films and comedy may not realize that he is an avid art collector. Object rests solidly on a foundation formed by the world of art–not so much the world of creating art, but the world of trading art, an aspect of the industry that only employees or art lovers with significant cash usually get to experience. Martin takes us behind the scenes of auctions, galleries, art theft (something close to Martin’s own heart) and discusses the nature of contemporary art and the differences between the emotional and the monetary value of art (“Provenance, subject matter, rarity, and perfection made a painting not just a painting, but a prize.”). Martin weaves the art geekery into a story about Lacey Yeager, a modern woman reminiscent of Holly Golightly, if Holly Golightly had used her chutzpah to make her own way instead of using it to land a man who could take care of her. Daniel, an art writer and confidant of Lacey, narrates this book that follows her through art education, her work in various positions in the art industry, her relationships and her sometimes-underhanded deeds, touching only briefly on his own life until close to the end of the book."
Read the full review at our site.