Eye of the Beholder

Johannes Vermeer, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, and the Reinvention of Seeing

By: Laura Snyder

Narrated by: Tamara Marston

"See for yourself!" was the clarion call of the 1600s. Natural philosophers threw off the yoke of ancient authority, peered at nature with microscopes and telescopes, and ignited the scientific revolution. Artists investigated nature with lenses and created paintings filled with realistic effects of light and shadow. The hub of this optical innovation was the small Dutch city of Delft.

Here Johannes Vermeer's experiments with lenses and a camera obscura taught him how we see under different conditions of light and helped him create the most luminous works of art ever beheld. Meanwhile his neighbor Antoni van Leeuwenhoek's work with microscopes revealed a previously unimagined realm of minuscule creatures. The result was a transformation in both art and science that revolutionized how we see the world today.

©2015 Laura J. Snyder by arrangement with W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Beautifully written and well researched

I already know quite a lot about the subject so was thrilled to learn so much that I didn’t know before reading.
Just as the subject matter blends humanist and scientific study so is the story told with an ideal mix of historic precision and emotional exploration
The performance is also great.

Terrific book

I found this a bracing, stimulating listen. While I can understand some of the complaints of other listeners (too drawn out, too many details), I do not share them. While not every detail in a book of history is necessarily exciting in itself, yet it is the wealth of details upon which the book ultimately rests. A good book of this sort builds up a context that illuminates many things, and it fills up this context with details that bring us in touch with its reality.

This book represents serious research and an original perspective, and so may not be entirely to the taste of listeners who do not start out with some knowledge of the 17th century and prefer a faster flowing narrative. But to me it is worth two credits. It is itself a microscope of sorts that gave me a better look into the 17th century. I came away exhilarated and treasuring every page..

interesting but repetitive

Interesting and informative with an intriguing view into the era yet not particularly engaging and often repetitive.

Eye opening

Very unusual perspective on history of science and art. Combining the two subjects together makes this book a spectacular and fascinating read, just as a painter with a microbiologist elusive friendship is. The historical period they lived in looks like a rainbow of beautiful colors, all shimmering in a different light - depending on the angle of a sight. Curious discoveries are waiting for a listener at each new chapter. Beautifully written and well performed.

Historical knowledge

Historical knowledge put together in an entertaining manner to provide interesting story. I wanted to gather more information. Amazing 17th century inventions.