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Non-fiction - Art Adventures - Christchurch City Libraries

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ChristchurchLib

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

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Take a ripping ride into the art world, travel with artists to discover what motivates them, discover lost works, frauds, heists and scandals. Gain an appreciation of the role art played in history and read moving accounts where families have sought to reclaim their treasures. A Christchurch City Libraries list.

By:

ChristchurchLib

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

15 items

15 items

1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows

1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows

A Memoir

by Ai, Weiwei, 1957-

Book - 2021

Dissident and Ali Weiwei's wide ranging memoir reveals the struggles which made him an" important voice of freedom". At once an intimate portrai...Show more Dissident and Ali Weiwei's wide ranging memoir reveals the struggles which made him an" important voice of freedom". At once an intimate portrait of his father's calm stoicism and the regime which repressed him and his own political struggles as he struggled to find his place in the art scene. Ali Weiwei elucidates the absurdity of the authoritarian regimes cat and mouse games with him and his irrepressible desire for personal expression. Show less

Dissident and Ali Weiwei's wide ranging memoir reveals the struggles which made him an" important voice of freedom". At once an intimate portrai...Show more Dissident and Ali Weiwei's wide ranging memoir reveals the struggles which made him an" important voice of freedom". At once an intimate portrait of his father's calm stoicism and the regime which repressed him and his own political struggles as he struggled to find his place in the art scene. Ali Weiwei elucidates the absurdity of the authoritarian regimes cat and mouse games with him and his irrepressible desire for personal expression. Show less

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The Pursuit of Art

The Pursuit of Art

Travels, Encounters and Revelations

by Gayford, Martin, 1952-

Book - 2019

With an Art critic's eye Martin brings us along as his traveling companion as he travels to far flung places in his quest to see art for himself. In his t...Show more With an Art critic's eye Martin brings us along as his traveling companion as he travels to far flung places in his quest to see art for himself. In his travelogue he shares his impressions of art with us, conversing with artists revelling their idiosyncrasies and illuminating what drives them, and the serendipitous joys and social frustrations of travel. Show less

With an Art critic's eye Martin brings us along as his traveling companion as he travels to far flung places in his quest to see art for himself. In his t...Show more With an Art critic's eye Martin brings us along as his traveling companion as he travels to far flung places in his quest to see art for himself. In his travelogue he shares his impressions of art with us, conversing with artists revelling their idiosyncrasies and illuminating what drives them, and the serendipitous joys and social frustrations of travel. Show less

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The Tsarina's Lost Treasure

The Tsarina's Lost Treasure

Catherine the Great, A Golden Age Masterpiece, and A Legendary Shipwreck

by Easter, Gerald, 1959-

Book - 2020

A rich gripping story of Dutch artists, royal politics and maritime history intertwined with the search for a lost treasure ship and an artist’s rise and ...Show more A rich gripping story of Dutch artists, royal politics and maritime history intertwined with the search for a lost treasure ship and an artist’s rise and fall. In 1771 a ship carrying Dutch masterpieces destined for Catherine the Great’s collection, sinks off the Finnish coast. Among the luxury goods on board is a coveted work by Rembrandt's pupil Gerrit Dou. His work “The Physician” is considered a jewel in the Christchurch Art Gallery collection. Show less

A rich gripping story of Dutch artists, royal politics and maritime history intertwined with the search for a lost treasure ship and an artist’s rise and ...Show more A rich gripping story of Dutch artists, royal politics and maritime history intertwined with the search for a lost treasure ship and an artist’s rise and fall. In 1771 a ship carrying Dutch masterpieces destined for Catherine the Great’s collection, sinks off the Finnish coast. Among the luxury goods on board is a coveted work by Rembrandt's pupil Gerrit Dou. His work “The Physician” is considered a jewel in the Christchurch Art Gallery collection. Show less

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The Hare With Amber Eyes

The Hare With Amber Eyes

A Hidden Inheritance

by De Waal, Edmund, 1964-

Book - 2012

Edmund de Waal inherits a collection of exquisite netsuke (Japanese miniature sculpture) from his uncle sparking a dramatic journey into his family histor...Show more Edmund de Waal inherits a collection of exquisite netsuke (Japanese miniature sculpture) from his uncle sparking a dramatic journey into his family history. Extremely rich collectors of art with fabulous and prescient taste, they became victims of the Nazi thirst for riches, their treasures stolen. This famous story is considered something of a masterpiece of memoir. Show less

Edmund de Waal inherits a collection of exquisite netsuke (Japanese miniature sculpture) from his uncle sparking a dramatic journey into his family histor...Show more Edmund de Waal inherits a collection of exquisite netsuke (Japanese miniature sculpture) from his uncle sparking a dramatic journey into his family history. Extremely rich collectors of art with fabulous and prescient taste, they became victims of the Nazi thirst for riches, their treasures stolen. This famous story is considered something of a masterpiece of memoir. Show less

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Pop Song

Pop Song

Adventures in Art and Intimacy

by Pham, Larissa

eBook - 2021

Asian American pop culture critic and millennial voice Larissa Pham, brings us a collection of meditations on art in an escape essayist's exploration of her internal landscape. Asian American pop culture critic and millennial voice Larissa Pham, brings us a collection of meditations on art in an escape essayist's exploration of her internal landscape. Show less

Asian American pop culture critic and millennial voice Larissa Pham, brings us a collection of meditations on art in an escape essayist's exploration of her internal landscape. Asian American pop culture critic and millennial voice Larissa Pham, brings us a collection of meditations on art in an escape essayist's exploration of her internal landscape. Show less

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The Duke of Wellington, Kidnapped!

The Duke of Wellington, Kidnapped!

The Incredible True Story of the Art Heist That Shocked A Nation

by Hirsch, Alan, 1959-

Book - 2016

An incredible heist involving the most famous portrait of England’s greatest general and a bizarre Robin Hood character who holds it to ransom. This is th...Show more An incredible heist involving the most famous portrait of England’s greatest general and a bizarre Robin Hood character who holds it to ransom. This is the story of the oddest of robberies. Hirsch takes you to the time when it was gripping the nation and the press in outrage. Show less

An incredible heist involving the most famous portrait of England’s greatest general and a bizarre Robin Hood character who holds it to ransom. This is th...Show more An incredible heist involving the most famous portrait of England’s greatest general and a bizarre Robin Hood character who holds it to ransom. This is the story of the oddest of robberies. Hirsch takes you to the time when it was gripping the nation and the press in outrage. Show less

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Renoir

Renoir

Book - 2015

A luscious reimagining of Renoir's later years living and painting in the south of France and the story of his last model, the woman who married his son Jean and served as muse in Jean's early films. A luscious reimagining of Renoir's later years living and painting in the south of France and the story of his last model, the woman who married his son Jean and served as muse in Jean's early films. Show less

A luscious reimagining of Renoir's later years living and painting in the south of France and the story of his last model, the woman who married his son Jean and served as muse in Jean's early films. A luscious reimagining of Renoir's later years living and painting in the south of France and the story of his last model, the woman who married his son Jean and served as muse in Jean's early films. Show less

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The Liberators

The Liberators

Streaming Video - 2017

The tale of a determined private detective chasing the truth about a valuable medieval art work that somehow made its way to a small town in Texas. Was it...Show more The tale of a determined private detective chasing the truth about a valuable medieval art work that somehow made its way to a small town in Texas. Was it another Nazi theft or did the Americans do it? Nominated for the Gamechanger Award and the Grand Jury at the SXSW film festival Show less

The tale of a determined private detective chasing the truth about a valuable medieval art work that somehow made its way to a small town in Texas. Was it...Show more The tale of a determined private detective chasing the truth about a valuable medieval art work that somehow made its way to a small town in Texas. Was it another Nazi theft or did the Americans do it? Nominated for the Gamechanger Award and the Grand Jury at the SXSW film festival Show less

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Art Thieves, Fakers & Fraudsters

Art Thieves, Fakers & Fraudsters

The New Zealand Story

by Jackson, Penelope, 1962-

Book - 2016

A book about scandalous New Zealand art crimes. Full of amusing and unlikely anecdotes which may remind you of episodes from Outrageous Fortune. A fascinating look into the art underworld most of us didn’t know we had. A book about scandalous New Zealand art crimes. Full of amusing and unlikely anecdotes which may remind you of episodes from Outrageous Fortune. A fascinating look into the art underworld most of us didn’t know we had. Show less

A book about scandalous New Zealand art crimes. Full of amusing and unlikely anecdotes which may remind you of episodes from Outrageous Fortune. A fascinating look into the art underworld most of us didn’t know we had. A book about scandalous New Zealand art crimes. Full of amusing and unlikely anecdotes which may remind you of episodes from Outrageous Fortune. A fascinating look into the art underworld most of us didn’t know we had. Show less

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The Woman Who Stole Vermeer

The Woman Who Stole Vermeer

The True Story of Rose Dugdale and the Russborough House Art Heist

by Amore, Anthony M.

Book - 2020

Women can do anything! In this case illustrated by the life of the wealthy and rebellious Rose Dugdale. She became the only woman so far to mastermind a m...Show more Women can do anything! In this case illustrated by the life of the wealthy and rebellious Rose Dugdale. She became the only woman so far to mastermind a major art heist, with a haul including Gainsborough, Rubens and Vermeer. It was not her only crime. The IRA featured heavily in her life and the return of the art was tied, not only to money, but also to prison transfers for their men. Show less

Women can do anything! In this case illustrated by the life of the wealthy and rebellious Rose Dugdale. She became the only woman so far to mastermind a m...Show more Women can do anything! In this case illustrated by the life of the wealthy and rebellious Rose Dugdale. She became the only woman so far to mastermind a major art heist, with a haul including Gainsborough, Rubens and Vermeer. It was not her only crime. The IRA featured heavily in her life and the return of the art was tied, not only to money, but also to prison transfers for their men. Show less

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Treasure Palaces

Treasure Palaces

Great Writers Visit Great Museums

Book - 2016

Articulated by award winning authors, poets, editors and journalists join them as they take us on a joyous odyssey; revealing hidden treasures and unravelling what speaks to us and how we relate to and are inspired by great museums. Articulated by award winning authors, poets, editors and journalists join them as they take us on a joyous odyssey; revealing hidden treasures and unravelling what speaks to us and how we relate to and are inspired by great museums. Show less

Articulated by award winning authors, poets, editors and journalists join them as they take us on a joyous odyssey; revealing hidden treasures and unravelling what speaks to us and how we relate to and are inspired by great museums. Articulated by award winning authors, poets, editors and journalists join them as they take us on a joyous odyssey; revealing hidden treasures and unravelling what speaks to us and how we relate to and are inspired by great museums. Show less

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Plundering Beauty

Plundering Beauty

A History of Art Crime During War

by Tompkins, Arthur

Book - 2018

A leading authority on art crime New Zealander Arthur Tompkin's narrative takes us through key moments in history disclosing with poignancy what each loss has meant to the world. A leading authority on art crime New Zealander Arthur Tompkin's narrative takes us through key moments in history disclosing with poignancy what each loss has meant to the world. Show less

A leading authority on art crime New Zealander Arthur Tompkin's narrative takes us through key moments in history disclosing with poignancy what each loss has meant to the world. A leading authority on art crime New Zealander Arthur Tompkin's narrative takes us through key moments in history disclosing with poignancy what each loss has meant to the world. Show less

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Master Thieves

Master Thieves

The Boston Gangsters Who Pulled Off the World's Greatest Art Heist

by Kurkjian, Stephen A.

Book - 2015

A street kid with inside information, a crime boss, and a huge heist of 13 works from a major museum. The police are at a loss. Eventually the FBI admit t...Show more A street kid with inside information, a crime boss, and a huge heist of 13 works from a major museum. The police are at a loss. Eventually the FBI admit they know who did it, but won’t tell. An investigative journalist of high standing searches for the truth. Compelling reading. Show less

A street kid with inside information, a crime boss, and a huge heist of 13 works from a major museum. The police are at a loss. Eventually the FBI admit t...Show more A street kid with inside information, a crime boss, and a huge heist of 13 works from a major museum. The police are at a loss. Eventually the FBI admit they know who did it, but won’t tell. An investigative journalist of high standing searches for the truth. Compelling reading. Show less

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The Art of Rivalry

The Art of Rivalry

Four Friendships, Betrayals, and Breakthroughs in Modern Art

by Smee, Sebastian

Book - 2016

Art critic and Pulitzer Prize winner Sebastian Smee examines how the connection between artists affect the trajectory of their art. Revealing their relati...Show more Art critic and Pulitzer Prize winner Sebastian Smee examines how the connection between artists affect the trajectory of their art. Revealing their relationships with their lovers and with each other, the intimacy and competition which builds between like minds, he shows us how artists find their place in the art world. Show less

Art critic and Pulitzer Prize winner Sebastian Smee examines how the connection between artists affect the trajectory of their art. Revealing their relati...Show more Art critic and Pulitzer Prize winner Sebastian Smee examines how the connection between artists affect the trajectory of their art. Revealing their relationships with their lovers and with each other, the intimacy and competition which builds between like minds, he shows us how artists find their place in the art world. Show less

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Good as Goldie

Good as Goldie

The Amazing Story of New Zealand's Most Famous Art Forger

by Goldie, C. F.

Book - 2003

New Zealand’s prolific and successful art forger tells his own colourful story. Born Karl Sim, he changed his name to C F Goldie. Sim has a flare for the ...Show more New Zealand’s prolific and successful art forger tells his own colourful story. Born Karl Sim, he changed his name to C F Goldie. Sim has a flare for the dramatic and a long history as a fraudster and his story is unsurprisingly entertaining. If you want delve into a more objective view try the new biography “A Good Joke” by Ian Dougherty. Show less

New Zealand’s prolific and successful art forger tells his own colourful story. Born Karl Sim, he changed his name to C F Goldie. Sim has a flare for the ...Show more New Zealand’s prolific and successful art forger tells his own colourful story. Born Karl Sim, he changed his name to C F Goldie. Sim has a flare for the dramatic and a long history as a fraudster and his story is unsurprisingly entertaining. If you want delve into a more objective view try the new biography “A Good Joke” by Ian Dougherty. Show less

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