The Lost Museum

by Robert M. Adams

Brings together and comments on a gallery of copies and representations of more than two hundred paintings, sculptures, and buildings that have been lost in their original forms through war, theft, restoration, sabotage, and public indifference

255 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Augustus · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this richly illustrated book, the author reviews the long history of buildings and art works being lost or destroyed by neglect and acts of vandalism. He begins by reminding readers that many if not most of the greatest Greek sculptures are known to us only through Roman copies. In more recent centuries, he recounts a succession of art losses due to wars and revolutions. One of the less known anecdotes involves a fire in 1734 that destroyed over 500 major paintings when servants in a Madrid palace put too much wood in the fireplaces to prepare for a Christmas visit by King Philip V. Another sad loss of more than 400 paintings occurred in 1945 when Soviet soldiers in occupied Berlin amused themselves by burning a FLAK tower where the artworks had been stored to protect them against bombing raids. The author also records systematic thefts of art by Napoleon's troops, including many works that remain in France today. The author also explains how modern technology enables experts to see earlier versions of master paintings that lie beneath the final pigments, and he uses historic prints to recall images of buildings and art works that have been lost or destroyed over the centuries. For those interested in art history, this book is highly recommended.

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like how the author presented his information. Also contained lots of artwork that is not "lost".