Thunderclap

In this award-winning work, bestselling author Laura Cumming weaves a compelling narrative that intertwines art history, personal memoir, and the significant consequences of a 1654 explosion in Delft, Holland, which claimed the life of painter Carel Fabritius and nearly took Johannes Vermeer as well. By exploring this pivotal moment and its impact on Dutch art, Cumming reflects on her own father's legacy as a painter, illuminating the profound ways that art shapes our understanding of life. Enhanced with stunning full-color images of Dutch paintings, this book offers a rich tribute to the transformative power of art and its connection to personal and cultural identity.