Prepare to be engulfed in a world where artistry meets treachery, and the battle for dominance unfolds on the canvas of the art world. Noah Charney's "Devil in the Gallery" is a shocking and riveting thriller that exposes the dark underbelly of the art industry, where ambition and deceit know no boundaries.

In this masterpiece of intrigue, Charney weaves a web of deception that leaves you questioning the authenticity of every stroke, the motives behind every brushstroke. As the story unfurls, the reader is thrust into a realm where talented artists become pawns in a game of power, where hidden agendas and cutthroat rivalries lurk behind the scenes of prestigious galleries and hallowed museums.

Enter the enigmatic protagonist, an art detective whose sharp eye and relentless pursuit of the truth unveils a conspiracy that shakes the very foundation of the art world. As layers of lies are peeled back, the shocking revelations leave you gasping, your belief in the sanctity of artistic expression shattered.

Charney's vivid and meticulous descriptions transport you into a realm where passion and obsession collide. From the vibrant hues of stolen masterpieces to the haunting beauty of long-lost treasures, each brushstroke and each stolen artifact drips with intrigue and temptation. Charley’s deep knowledge of the art world lends authenticity to every twist and turn, immersing the reader in a captivating and dangerous realm.

The characters in "Devil in the Gallery" are as complex and captivating as the paintings they covet. Their ambitions clash and ignite like the fiery colors of a sunset, each one vying for recognition and glory. Charney's skillful portrayal of the rivalry and cutthroat nature of the art world adds another layer of tension to an already gripping narrative, leaving you questioning who can be trusted and who is willing to sacrifice everything for their artistic desires.

But it's not just the plot that captivates; Charney's writing style itself is a work of art. The prose flows with the elegance of a master painter's brush, sweeping you along as you become entangled in a battle for artistic supremacy. His ability to blend historical facts with fiction creates a seamless tapestry that transports you across time and space, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

"Devil in the Gallery" is a shocking and addictive read, a tantalizing glimpse into a world where talent, greed, and rivalry collide. Noah Charney's deep understanding of the art world and his skillful storytelling create a mesmerizing experience that will leave you yearning for more. Brace yourself for a journey through shadows and betrayal, where the true nature of art is unveiled, and the battle for artistic dominance rages on.

The Devil in the Gallery by Noah Charney
Source: NetGalley, Rowman & Littlefield, and Purchase
Rating 4/5 stars

The Bottom Line: Oh boy, did this book have all my Art History bits tingling 😊 As an Art Historian, I found this book to be utterly fascinating and listened to it, cover to cover in a single sitting. With that said, I am an Art Historian and so much of this read is geared toward a particular audience. If it weren’t for my personal background, I can’t see this book appealing to me, or any reader, for the long haul thanks to all the names, places, stylistic periods, etc. that are mentioned throughout, and mentioned in a way as to assume the reader already knows who and what the author is referring to.

As it stands, I didn’t actually physically read this book, but had to listen to it in order to fully appreciate and delve into the story. This is far more non-fiction than even historical fiction and a physical read felt exactly like reading a textbook. I had high hopes for the audio and was not disappointed. The narrator for the audio is fantastic, has a beautiful accent, and wonderful pronunciation for all the names and places mentioned.

From start to finish this book is all about the scandal, shock, and awe that topple normal humans, but tend to elevate the careers and reputations of artists. With many, many historical and contemporary accounts, this book covers everything from petty rivalries to body harm performance art and how the shock value and scandal impacted the lives and careers of the artists involved. As is always true for me, I enjoyed the stories and anecdotes of the older artists far more but (surprisingly) found many things among the contemporary bits to be of interest as well.

I can’t even begin to believe this book would appeal to the average, only a limited and/or passing interest in art reader. This book is designed and geared toward a more bougie crowd, if not scholars in the field. I’m certainly not suggesting this book is too difficult or too intellectual for the average, only a limited and/or passing interest in art reader, but it is certainly written for an audience with some background in art and/or art history. I can firmly say, if it weren’t for my background, I would not have been able to stick with this read 😊 I can also say, if it weren’t for the aforementioned issue and this book were geared more toward a broad and wide ranging audience, I would have certainly elevated by star rating.

This was a fascinating book that had short chapters on specific artists, their tendencies and the the specific affect or origin of a few of their works. It was an enjoyable and informative read for its focus on the works that don't get mentioned much, on the aspects of the artists and their works that are not socially or politically correct. The connections that are made are ones that you may not have considered before. The non-linear connections on the scandals, shock and rivalries are taken from thorough research of literature and other resources of the times that reinforce the points of perspective and the historical opinion. This was excellent and very well researched.

An interesting read with short, bite-size chunks of text on specific artists, their proclivities and the the specific affect or origin of a few of their works. It is informative and entertaining for its particular focus on the less discussed or less socially/politically-correct aspects of these artists and their works, drawing connections that one may not have considered when looking superficially at the pieces These non-linear connections on scandal, shock and rivalry are drawn from literature and resources of the time to reinforce points of perspective and historical opinion, an interesting sidebar to the more understood points of an artists life and challenges that succeeds in fleshing out one's own understanding of the nuances of art history. For those of you who are big on notes, they are extensive and would a allow a reader to follow a few rabbit holes, if they so choose.

Scandals, rivalry, shocking behavior oh my! These are themes that, as a society, we tend to obsess over. We scan the tabloids in the check out line, follow celebrities online to watch every move they make and if two celebrities are at war with each other we eat it up even more. Are scandals and misbehavior ever a good move though? You may be surprised by the answer.

In The Devil in the Gallery, Charney goes in search of an answer to the question to what extent shock, scandal and rivalry have made the art world what it is today. Through incredibly well researched stories we find out that many of the worlds best artists through time have furthered their career and gained not only jobs but approval by critics and the masses alike. A great example of this is the intense rivalry between Raphael and Michelangelo sometimes bordering on the petty side but without foul play there would be no Sistine Chapel. And that's only the beginning.

The Devil in the Gallery is an extremely accessible gem of an art history book with a twist. Personally I love Art and am a devoted supporter of the arts as a whole but art history is something I had not previously been able to spend too much time researching art history beneath the surface basics and this book was perfect for me! It was captivating, enthralling and beautiful. This book is sure to be groundbreaking and will appeal to the masses, no experience required!

Thank you to Netgalley, Noah Charney, and of course the publishers for making this book a reality and for providing an advance e-copy in exchange for my honest review. It was a true pleasure to dive in to this book and I can't wait to dive in again and again, exploring every path hinted at in this book.

I’m actually surprised to be the first to rate and review this book. It’s been waiting on my Kindle for quite a while since grabbing it from Netgalley with a goal to further my fine arts self education. It’s by a renown author and art expert and professor, who specializes in art crime. It’s reasonable in length, accessible in style and even has art in it, albeit viewing some of the world’s greatest art on a small black and white screen is far from ideal.
I love art. Enjoying it in museums (one day, again) and reading about it (an anytime pleasure). I’ve not too long ago read a book about art frauds for which this author provided a preface. This book takes a different approach, specializing in famous scandals and rivalries, from the well known (legendary really in that respect) figures to the lesser known but nevertheless bitter feuds and salacious skeletons in closets. And, of course, all the great works these rivalries have inspired. Consider, Sistine Chapel…Raphael’s backfired trick on Michelangelo. That’s two Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles right there. In fact, this book makes an excellent case for why Raphael should have been the Donatello of the team, it’s a generational thing. That’s just one of the great many randomly awesome things you’ll learn from reading this book. It isn’t just about art, it’s about psychology and sociology. Things that explain why the two of the world’s wealthiest artists produce art in factory like environments. And graffiti wars. And collector’s markets.
Whether you’re interested in art for art’s sake or as a business investment or as a conversation subject, whether you’re passionate about the great masters’ lives or works or even if you just like a good scandal or many…there’s something in this book you’ll enjoy. I enjoyed all of it. It was very much like attending an engaging erudite and entertaining lecture for the sheer pleasure of self edification. Whatever madness coursed through artists’ veins, whatever wildness guided their lives and their brushes, the beauty they’ve given us is undeniable. And this book it for people who can’t resist a good behind the scenes story. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

There is a devil in the gallery (book) and thank goodness. This was such an absolute adventure of epic and educational proportions. I enjoyed this so much I can't even actually pinpoint exactly why, it was everything I needed in my life and then some. I cannot wait to hold a hard copy of this in my hands. A must-read for anyone looking for some cultural mystery and a trip to the art gallery

I appreciate having had an opportunity to read and review this book. The appeal of this particular book was not evident to me, and if I cannot file a generally positive review I prefer simply to advise the publisher to that effect and file no review at all.

A delightful book on the book competition in the art world. Beautiful imagery and interesting discussions on competing artists navigate this beautifully composed book. I’m absolutely certain I will put this on my coffee table and you will too.