Sacred and Stolen: Confessions of a Museum Director Hardcover – September 20, 2016

This book arrived much sooner than the anticipated delivery date. Not only was it in excellent condition, it was an autographed copy. Needless to say, I was thrilled! I immediately began to read it, found it engrossing, and finished it in short order. Thank you, WonderBook.

Gary Vikan's _Sacred and Stolen: Confessions of a Museum Director is a brilliant, provocative look into the world of religious antiquities -- where they come from, how they get into circulation (from private collectors to venerable institutions' collections), and the ethical and legal challenges of dealing with sellers, some scrupulous and others less so, including those who sell fakes.Vikan's reflections on a long career as a museum director are surprisingly fascinating and moving: he is very honest about what moves him. It is partly an autobiography and partly an expose of the international trafficking in looted treasures, especially religious objects but more broadly artifacts that belong to whole countries and the world. Think of our our horror when the museum in Baghdad was looted a few years ago. Well, where do those treasures go? Into the hands of collectors via the black market: no self-respecting museum could buy them (under current law), but Gthe author exposes the seamy underside of how goods move from country to country in this era and the past. Two other topics were also fascinating to me: the huge market for fake works of art that have been bought by respectable museums and wealthy collectors alike (and he names lots of them) and, for me, the most intriguing theme: what is an "aesthetic experience"? What does it mean to experience a work of art, especially sublime works of art (pictures, sculptures, music)? The author knows the intensity of such experiences -- he calls it the "numinous" (growing close to the divine) when he talks about religious artifacts. Each chapter focuses on a different episode in which the author faced ethical dilemmas, including dealing with international incidents and wheeler-dealers from many different countries. If this sounds serious, relax: the author has a very droll sense of humor. Think of Garrison Keiller as your tour guide at the Met or the Louvre. His asides about people and institutions are truly funny. I strongly recommend the book! I hope that the success of this book will encourage the author to give us volume two: further adventures in the murky world of buyers and sellers.

This is a good read, flows right through, telling story after story of life as a museum curator. Although this book offers some insight into the profession and the people who traffic in artifacts, I didn't think it really touched at the heart of either the art or the author or even the 'bad guys'. I got the impression that it was very carefully worded in an effort to avoid stepping on toes or causing problems "at the office". Understandably, the author has placed himself in pretty murky waters more than once, so I do get it that he's cautious, but he did take the time to write the book and, in light of that, he could have just gotten it all off his chest with more passion. A good read, interesting information.

“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of man?” The Shadow knew and it’s now obvious to me that Gary Vikan knows. His most interesting and intriguing book, Sacred and Stolen: Confessions of a Museum Director, reveals to the reader the ins and outs of a world most of us rarely think about, and about which we know very little. He takes us on adventures around the world into situations that had me sitting on the edge of my chair. His keen sense of humor comes into play throughout, and learning about his roots makes his story even more fascinating. Having lived in Baltimore, I was keenly aware of his superb reputation as the former Director of the Walters Art Gallery, but I only learned through this volume of his interesting upbringing, education, and his mysterious experiences as an expert in his field. A fast and enjoyable read that I highly recommend.

This is a book that frequently rises from interesting to exciting. Art inspires, but great art is rare and stokes the always present human trait: greed. Thus, stolen and faked treasures are to be expected. But money is also important in running museums which must always be looking for more dollars and also find ways to enrich their collections. The ethics of collecting come into play. Under what circumstances should collectibles not be bought or accepted and returned if they are already in the collection. The author is honest about the frequent compromises that are made. There are no easy answers and simplistically chanting the common rule that title can never be gotten for stolen property will not do. The problem, still not wholly solved, is to fashion rules that satisfy the various legitimate interests.

A very candid memoir from an interesting person who has been involved in a lot of unusual events relating to artistic treasures of the past. There are many points in the book when you will think "I can''t believe that he said that for publication." Well worth reading if you think that being a museum curator is a quiet and contemplative profession. I recommend it.

This book made for one fantastic, intriguing, enjoyable, fascinating, fun, thought-provoking read, but - it was too short! As a nonfiction account of all that lies behind museum acquisitions, told from an insider's perspective, the book reads like a gripping, action-packed mystery. It is both erudite and entertaining, and very difficult to put down.

This was a page-turner with an inside look at the adventures and misadventures (sometimes bordering on cloak-and-dagger) of a museum director. It shows the sometimes complex (Byzantine?) process by which museums and collectors make acquisitions and mount exhibits.I recommend it for art-lovers and for anyone who enjoys a good story.

Telling the story of a museum curator isn't easy. While Vikan's book offers laymen insight into the profession and the people who traffic in artifacts, I was disappointed in his approach. I found the book to be very carefully worded, often apologetic of museums.

Excellent livre d'un auteur brillant et passionné. Se lit comme un roman.