King of the Confessors

A classic in the art history/discovery genre, non-fiction of course. The characters were all realistic and not caricatures, the events were believable and intriguing, and it was generally educational in terms of art, history, and religion. I especially like the fact that not everything was neatly tied up at the end. ( )

Nonfiction account of Hoving's pursuit, and acquisition of the late 12th century, two foot tall, walrus ivory, Bury St. Edmonds cross for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the late 50's-early 60's.

Hoving can be erudite and write with pace, a rare combination.

Not exactly Indiana Jones but pretty close to the real thing and a peek behind the scenes of the museum trade to boot. Now I just need to go see the Cross in New York. ( )

Hoving describes his long process to “win” the ivory cross, the most important medieval object of art so far discovered, for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (actually for The Cloisters, the Medieval branch of the Met that is in a separate location). This was a fascinating account that read almost like a novel—much better than Dan Brown novels. Not only was the story exciting but the reader is treated to a revealing look at the chicanery that often goes on behind the scenes for a museum to acquire a significant work. But the “star” of the book was the magnificent cross. The history of the cross was fascinating and the descriptions let the reader visualize the cross even more clearly than the wonderful photographs at the beginning of the book. Hoving obviously became very intimate with the object to be able to describe its intricacy in such detail. If you like mystery and suspense with an added bonus of beautiful art this book fits the bill. This was a bargain I bought at the church book sale a couple of years ago. ( )