Art Book Club Discussions
Heidi Thompson, the visionary behind ACE Public Relations, brings a thoughtful appreciation for the arts to everything she does. Outside the agency, she dedicates time each month to an art book club with fellow creatives, curators, and collectors.
Each month, the group explores a new title, ranging from the buying and selling of works of art to the rediscovery of Old Masters. After every session, Heidi writes a summary that captures the group’s fascinating discussions, unexpected perspectives, and standout moments. These reflections offer a window into the dynamic artistic dialogue and aesthetic exploration that fuel her creativity and leadership.
We invite you to read along and see how the art world continues to inspire our work every day.
The Lost Painting: The Quest for a Caravaggio Masterpiece
by Jonathan Harr
Jonathan Harr’s The Lost Painting reads like a mystery novel, bringing the behind-the-scenes world of art authentication to life through the search for a lost Caravaggio. The summary explores the pillars of authentication, connoisseurship, provenance, and technical analysis, alongside reflections on Caravaggio’s dramatic use of light and shadow. The book offers a vivid look at how art history, emotion, and detective work intersect.
Fifteen Colonial Thefts: A Guide to Looted African Heritage in Museums
edited by Sela K. Adjei and Yann LeGall
This powerful volume examines the looted African cultural heritage held in Western museums and the ongoing global struggle for restitution. The discussion explored the emotional, ethical, and political complexities of returning stolen artifacts, highlighting how colonial histories continue to shape debates around cultural ownership and justice.
Chasing Beauty
by Natalie Dykstra
Natalie Dykstra’s biography dives into the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a bold and unconventional woman who turned her love of art into one of the most unique museums in the U.S. With the author joining the discussion, the group explored Gardner’s passion, independence, personal struggles, and the still-unsolved mystery of the famous 1990 art heist at her museum.
