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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
mlynes's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating insight into the history of art dealing through the frame of the story of the Salvator Mundi. Full of interesting historical events and commentary on the corrupt relationships between dealers, museums and owners. Extraordinary.
continuity23's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Well constructed but a bit scattered, and suffers from the fact that this is still very much a story in process - and reading it four years after publication, I now have a lot of questions about what the recent past has brought.
marginaliant's review against another edition
5.0
The Last Leonardo is a refreshing look at one of the most curious works of art that has surfaced in the art market lately. This was not my first encounter with the Salvator Mundi, as I worked as an art dealer and followed the case closely when it was being shopped around. Later, in 2017 when it broke the record for the most expensive painting ever sold, I had some serious doubts.
The book is divided into roughly three intertwining sections. One is a biography of Leonardo Da Vinci. This is a fairly general biography that doesn't add much new but does give the uninitiated a better idea of who Leonardo Da Vinci was and why he has become almost an archetypal artistic genius. Another follows the art dealer Robert Simon in the early 2000s as he attempts to research, restore (with the help of Dianne Modestini) and sell the Salvator Mundi. The last section follows the Salvator Mundi's provenance over the course of the nearly five hundred years from the time it was produced until now.
Of these three sections, I think many people would find this third section the most tedious. Lewis is very thorough in explaining how old masters were "restored" (or overpainted), cropped, destroyed, re-attributed, and lost over the course of centuries. However, I thought it was absolutely necessary to support the most interesting part of the book: Ben Lewis poking holes in the sketchy attribution and even sketchier provenance of the Salvator Mundi.
This book would be my recommendation for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Salvator Mundi as this book gives the most detailed history of the painting and the mystery surrounding it that I have read. Further, I think Ben Lewis has a great sense of humor and a great sense of drama, which makes parts of this novel read like a gripping true crime tale. It was a joy to read.
coptic12's review against another edition
5.0
Meticulously researched. Thoroughly entertaining. A must read for anyone who loves the art world or enjoys a complex real life mystery.
nicrtay's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great casual history, not just about the (in)famous Salvator Mundi, but of the grey areas of art history and art criticism.
Anyone who's ever felt like they have a hot-and-cold relationship with art history will truly be able to appreciate what Lewis has to discuss here. For example, if several art historians are mulling over whether they wish to attribute a work to Da Vinci, why have they chosen what they've chosen? Is it in their particular interest to agree that it is a Da Vinci? In some instances in the Salvator Mundi's history, yes.
However, I think the most interesting discussion in this piece is about the oxymoronic action of artifact restoration. In the case of the Salvator Mundi, which has been overwashed, repainted, and "restored" so many times, can it even still be thought of as a Da Vinci work, if it ever was to begin with? If eighty percent of the strokes in the painting can be attributed to someone else, does the painting still hold the same meaning as it originally did? Does Da Vinci's "presence" (God, I hate that term) still reside in it?
This is honestly a wonderful read for anyone who is vaguely familiar with most of Da Vinci's works (many of them are mentioned by name, so an initial understanding would heighten your comprehension of the topics).
Here's hoping that the Salvator Mundi will be brought to the public again and further discussion about art and its 'authorship' can continue.
Anyone who's ever felt like they have a hot-and-cold relationship with art history will truly be able to appreciate what Lewis has to discuss here. For example, if several art historians are mulling over whether they wish to attribute a work to Da Vinci, why have they chosen what they've chosen? Is it in their particular interest to agree that it is a Da Vinci? In some instances in the Salvator Mundi's history, yes.
However, I think the most interesting discussion in this piece is about the oxymoronic action of artifact restoration. In the case of the Salvator Mundi, which has been overwashed, repainted, and "restored" so many times, can it even still be thought of as a Da Vinci work, if it ever was to begin with? If eighty percent of the strokes in the painting can be attributed to someone else, does the painting still hold the same meaning as it originally did? Does Da Vinci's "presence" (God, I hate that term) still reside in it?
This is honestly a wonderful read for anyone who is vaguely familiar with most of Da Vinci's works (many of them are mentioned by name, so an initial understanding would heighten your comprehension of the topics).
Here's hoping that the Salvator Mundi will be brought to the public again and further discussion about art and its 'authorship' can continue.
mo_whales's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
This was my bedtime book for a few weeks. Bedtime books differ from daytime books because they are juuuuuuust boring enough to make you sleepy and interesting enough to keep your attention but not keep you awake to see what happens. This was an excellent bedtime book.
The fact that any painting has sold for half a billion dollars is crazy, especially since there has been such debate around its authenticity, provenance, and because of the number of period works that were also once thought to be genuine.
I liked this book a lot but it is going to make you drowsy. It is pretty slow going but ultimately very interesting and well researched.
The fact that any painting has sold for half a billion dollars is crazy, especially since there has been such debate around its authenticity, provenance, and because of the number of period works that were also once thought to be genuine.
I liked this book a lot but it is going to make you drowsy. It is pretty slow going but ultimately very interesting and well researched.
dioptasy's review against another edition
4.0
Impeccably researched and well woven as a fascinating case study on both the historical relevance of Leonardo and geopolitical game the painting finds itself a pawn and catalyst of. The documentary on the same subject was much more of a thriller but I appreciated that this book gives historical context for how and why the art market is the way it is. The ending of this book leaves some food for thought on the purpose of art and what roles and rules the art world and its players should stand under, but neatly wraps up the journey as best it can despite the mystery of the painting's future.