The Impossible Museum: The Best Art You'll Never See

by Céline Delavaux

Spanning centuries and encompassing a variety of masterpieces—from paintings on canvas and cave walls to structures and jewelry—this fascinating compendium of "lost art" takes readers on a historic journey and explores how and why art can disappear from our lives. Some works are simply missing, such as da Vinci’s Leda and the Swan or the Romanov jewels. Others were intentionally transformed, such as Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty, or destroyed, like the Buddhas of Bamyan. Some pieces are hidden away, such as the paintings at Lascaux or frescoes from the Pompeiian house of Marcus Lucretius. Others were stolen, including a Stradivarius violin, Jackson Pollock’s Springs Winter, and Caravaggio’s Nativity. However they disappeared from view, these works represent significant gaps in art history. Fortunately for us, many exact replicas or studies for these pieces exist, while others were photographed before their destruction. Working with the latest research and documentation, author Céline Delavaux brings each lost piece back to life through illuminating text and helpful illustrations. Assembled together in this elaborate and informative volume, these works comprise their own unique "museum"—a place readers will be certain to visit again and again.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 13, 2012

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unique collection is engaging and well-presented. Divided into main categories such as “hidden,” “destroyed,” “disappeared,” and “stolen,” it’s fascinating to have an opportunity to view these works in some way. In reality, this volume could be ten times larger and just as enthralling. My only complaint is the editing; there are a plethora of typos and misspellings which always irritate me. However, being able to see these “lost” masterpieces and read their histories is well-worth the time. Highly recommended!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book detailing a selected number of art works from history that have gone missing or been destroyed. For me, the most tragic chapter was the Taliban's obliteration of the Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan.

[Eva Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter is definitely worthy of a book, but this wasn't well executed. It was lacking a red thread and for each entry, it seemed completely random whether Delavaux chose to write about the artwork itself, it's creator or the events leading to it becoming lost. To be fair, any of those three approaches could have made for a good read; it's the inconsistency that bugs me. When I wanted to know more about a particular painting, she would write about how it was moved around during World War 2 and finally disappeared. When I actually did want to hear more about the theft of a painting because it sounded like a daring heist, I would instead get a biography of the painter.
At the end of the day, this felt somewhat like a collecting of very short essays about different artworks, collected in a book because they all (more of less) fit the definition of the artworks being lost.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about art and luck. It is thoughtfully laid out and contains beautiful reproductive prints and images. It is, consequently, a very easy read. The comments on each work are concise and engaging, giving just enough information both about the work and its loss. Naturally, some of the stories are depressing and I would have preferred if the works had not been categorized according to method of loss - giving more randomness to proceedings, but overall it's a valuable read.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is not a bad book it is just not as good as it could be - or as it is advertised - I found it superficial without anything really new to say and what it does say appears to be dictated by what is in the news and I can't help thinking this was a rushed or put together book rather then one the author really wanted or needed to write.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, though I thought there would be more to the book.

For me, I found the sections on the frescoes and tapestries to be enjoyable, since they don't seem to be given the amount of attention/publicity that paintings get.

The Charles V sword was magnificent!

[Madison Sheridan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a ton of new or especially interesting information- some misspellings (Frieda Kahlo, etc) and no conclusion really tying the book together. It was fine, and I liked learning about a few new things.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book detailing, well, the best art work you'll never. Sections are titled Disappeared, Transformed, Destroyed, Hidden and Stolen. Each section includes a few photos of the work, a description of why it is important, and a summary of what happened to it. It's an easy read; more like a picture book for grown-ups. If you have even a slight interest in art this is worth an afternoon of your time.