Vermeer's Hat by Timothy Brook
From the epicentre of Delft in the Netherlands Brook takes the paintings of Johannes Vermeer and uses details of them as a series of entry points to the widest circles of world trade and cultural exchange in the seventeenth century. An officer's beaver hat in 'Officer and the Laughing Girl' opens up the story of Champlain's dealing with the native peoples of Canada and the beaver trade. A china dish on a table in another painting uncovers the story of the Chinese porcelain trade. Moving outwards from Vermeer's studio Brook traces the web of trade that was spreading across the globe, from firearms to silver mines and Manila galleons. And his vision embraces many personal stories - of an African slave and a Chinese aesthete, of a Dutch gunsmith stranded in Korea and of Vermeer himself.
A more entertaining guide to world history is difficult to imagine-- Ross King, author of Brunelleschi’s Dome
Brook takes his readers on a journey that encompasses Chinese porcelain and beaver pelts, global temperatures and firearms, shipwrecked sailors, silver mines and Manila galleons. A book full of surprising pleasures. -- Jonathan Spence, author of The Search for Modern China
The writing is informed, evocative, grips the attention. -- Svetlana Alpers * London Review of Books *
Enthralling... original and stimulating... Vermeer's hat is a jewel of a study of two distinct yet intertwined worlds, feeling their way together towards modernity -- Lisa Jardine * Literary Review *
Brook's eye conjures up the invisible vistas through Vermeer's open windows -- Peter Conrad * Observer *
An adventure in itself... clear, original, thoughtful and engaging * Spectator *
Spellbinding...as a guide to the world behind the pictures Vermeer's Hat is mind-expanding -- John Carey * Sunday Times *
Brook takes his readers on a journey that encompasses Chinese porcelain and beaver pelts, global temperatures and firearms, shipwrecked sailors, silver mines and Manila galleons. A book full of surprising pleasures. -- Jonathan Spence, author of The Search for Modern China
The writing is informed, evocative, grips the attention. -- Svetlana Alpers * London Review of Books *
Enthralling... original and stimulating... Vermeer's hat is a jewel of a study of two distinct yet intertwined worlds, feeling their way together towards modernity -- Lisa Jardine * Literary Review *
Brook's eye conjures up the invisible vistas through Vermeer's open windows -- Peter Conrad * Observer *
An adventure in itself... clear, original, thoughtful and engaging * Spectator *
Spellbinding...as a guide to the world behind the pictures Vermeer's Hat is mind-expanding -- John Carey * Sunday Times *
Timothy Brook is Shaw Professor of Chinese Studies at Oxford and the author of many books on Chinese history.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781846681127 |
| ISBN 10 | 184668112X |
| Title | Vermeer's Hat |
| Author | Timothy Brook |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Profile Books Ltd |
| Year published | 2008-07-03 |
| Number of pages | 288 |
| Prizes | Winner of Mark Lynton History Prize 2009 (UK) |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |