Thunderclap: A Memoir of Art and Life and Sudden Death

By:

Sign Up Now! Already a Member? Log In
You must be logged into Bookshare to access this title. Learn about membership options, or view our freely available titles.

Synopsis
Named a Top 100 Must-Read Book of the Year by Time and a Best Book of the Year by The New Yorker * Winner of the 2024 Writers' Prize for Nonfiction * Shortlisted for the Inaugural Women&’s Prize for Nonfiction * Longlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize New York Times bestselling author Laura Cumming &“combines first-rate art history with deeply felt memoir&” (The Washington Post) in this fascinating, little-known story of the massive explosion in Holland that killed Carel Fabritius, renowned painter of The Goldfinch and A View of Delft and nearly killed Johannes Vermeer—two of the greatest artists of the 17th century. &“Exquisite.&” —Simon Schama, The GuardianAs a brilliant art critic and historian, Laura Cumming has explored the importance of art in life and can give us a perspective on the time and place in which the artist worked. Now, through the lens of one dramatic event in 17th-century Holland, Cumming &“has fashioned a book that combines memoir, art criticism, and history to illuminating effect&” (The New York Times Book Review). In 1654, the Thunderclap—an enormous explosion at a gunpowder store—devasted the city of Delft, killing hundreds of people, including the extraordinary painter Carel Fabritius, and injuring thousands more. Framing the story around the life of Fabritius, Cumming illuminates this extraordinary moment in art history while also writing about her own father, a painter. Like Dutch art, the story gradually links country, city, town, street, house, interior—all the way to the bird on its perch, the blue and white tile, the smallest seed in a loaf of bread. The impact of a painting and how it can enter our thoughts, influence our view and understanding of the world is the heart of this book. Cumming has brought her unique eye to her most compelling subject yet. Featuring beautiful full-color images of Dutch paintings throughout, this is &“a glorious tribute to the two men who showed her the truth of the notion that paintings offer &‘a land in themselves, a society, a place to be&’&” (The Economist).
Copyright:
2023

Book Details

Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
Book Size:
272 Pages
ISBN-13:
9781982181765
Related ISBNs:
9781982181758
Publisher:
Scribner
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Laura Cumming
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
History, Nonfiction, Art and Architecture, Biographies and Memoirs
Submitted By:
Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

Reviews

No Rating Yet