Famous Works of Art and How They Got That Way

by John B. Nici

In a world filled with great museums and great paintings, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is the reigning queen. Her portrait rules over a carefully designed salon, one that was made especially for her in a museum that may seem intended for no other purpose than to showcase her virtues. What has made this portrait so renowned, commanding such adoration? And what of other works of art that continue to enthrall spectators: What makes the Great Sphinx so great? Why do iterations of The Scream and American Gothic permeate nearly all aspects of popular culture? Is it because of the mastery of the artists who created them? Or can something else account for their popularity?

In Famous Works of Art—And How They Got That Way, John B. Nici looks at twenty well-known paintings, sculptures, and photographs that have left lasting impressions on the general public. As Nici notes, there are many reasons why works of art become famous; few have anything to do with quality. The author explains why the reputations of some creations have grown over the years, some disproportionate to their artistic value. Written in a style that is both entertaining and informative, this book explains how fame is achieved, and ultimately how a work either retains that fame, or passes from the public consciousness.

From ancient artifacts to a can of soup, this book raises the question: Did the talent to promote and publicize a work exceed the skills employed to create that object of worship? Or are some masterpieces truly worth the admiration they receive? The creations covered in this book include the Tomb of Tutankhamun, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Raphael’s Sistine Madonna, El Greco’s The Burial of Count Orgaz, Rodin’s The Thinker, Van Gogh’s Starry Night, and Picasso’s Guernica. Featuring more than sixty images, including color reproductions, Famous Works of Art—And How They Got That Way will appeal to anyone who has ever wondered if a great painting, sculpture, or photograph, really deserves to be called “great.”

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Art History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2015

Reviews

[tiago. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is very interesting, and the works of art mentioned in this book are among some of the most iconic in the world; however, it must be said that this book doesn't always deliver on its promise to explain how certain works of art got famous. The writing style can grow weary on you - especially on the chapter for Munch's The Scream, where the phrase "Scream, indeed" gets repeated to near exhaustion. Still, it provides a fascinating read for art lovers who get to know all kinds of interesting facts about their favorite art pieces, from ancient works such as the Giza Sphynx or the Apollo Belvedere until contemporary works such as Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial or Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans - passing through several art classics by icons like Raphael, Da Vinci, El Greco, Manet or Van Gogh.

[ChristineK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book well worth reading. Each chapter examines an iconic work of art. Nici covers the history, artist and public reaction to each work. Each chapter begins with a black-and-white picture of the art ( in the hardcover version I read). Also, somewhere in the middle of the book were color pictures of the art. Interesting and a pleasant read.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each of the paintings or monuments is illustrated by a color photograph; there are additional B&W photos for some of the chapters. The items range from the Sphinx to Botticelli's Birth of Venus to Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup and the Vietnam Memorial. Rici writes very knowledgeably in an easy style, relating how the work came to be, its fate and/or reception after the artist's death (or in the case of modern items after its creation), and in some cases why the item has since become famous or regained fame.

The items' experiences are varied indeed. It is surprising to learn that Botticelli's renown dwindled immediately after his death: he is one of my favorite painters! And fascinating to learn of the twists and turns that bring an item to the general public's appreciation or uninterest. That famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware, painted by the German artist Leutze? Is that the Delaware or the Rhine? How has Leutze composed the figures and why in that way.

A quick read and informative, I'll not look at these items without again thinking of how fleeting has been, and may be in the future, their fame.

[Castles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book which deserves way more attention.

I’ve learned a lot reading it, the facts and anecdotes about the works and behind the scene. How they got famous and even how they traveled from place to place. Surprisingly, the author manages to pour light and interesting facts on even some of the most iconic works out there, and it was refreshing to read a new angel about the Mona Lisa and more.

I’ve enjoyed reading this excellent book very much and I wish the author will write more of those.

[Kjersti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. But each piece of art only had one picture at the beginning of its section and it was in black and white. I found myself googling to see better images and then getting distracted by reading the Wikipedia posting.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the fascinating and lesser known history of a number of artworks that can definitively be classed as masterpieces, from antiquity to modern, the Sphinx at Giza to Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans. Each chapter provides a entertainingly written history of each of these works, and each focuses on the unique path they had to fame. A great deal of this history is incredibly intriguing and goes beyond what you'd find in an art history textbook, so even if a person like me who knows a lot of these works in and out from an analytical viewpoint can find plenty of interesting tidbids. It is truly fascinating to discover why some of these works got famous and stayed famous, while some others resided in near total obscurity for decades or centuries before they were brought back from the dead to iconic status. Nici is opinionated and funny and balances analysis with history well - a great choice for art lovers.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting art history that takes the fame of the work as its focus. Because I don't have a background in art history, I found this an easy way to get into the subject. Nici is not trying to create an ultimate list of famous pieces, but rather to consider different factors that can lead to a work becoming famous outside of the art world as well as to show how that fame can vanish just as easily. A very interesting discussion.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this book Gardner's Art Through the Ages? No.

Is this meant to be a comprehensive study of art? No.

Did this stop me from enjoying the book? No.

This was a fun overview of some famous pieces of art and how they rose to public awareness. None of the pieces were unknown to me, but this helped me see them from a different perspective.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some good information in this book but the author seems like a huge asshole. Really leaning into the whole disdainful art snob thing.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The description of famous works of art was interesting, but “and how they got that way” is not really discussed.

[Yan Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look into how famous works became famous through a variety of case studies.

[Jyotsna Rattan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. My request to John Nici is to write books on other artists and their famous work of arts that he did not include in this book. May I suggest Michelangelo, Cezanne, Dali

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good book. What an engaging author.

[Betsie Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sure there are great works of art missing from the book, but for me this was a good blend of old and new.

[Gin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so freaking much!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this look at the history and story behind several iconic works of art.