Lindsay Russian Art Ltd.: Review of "The History of Loot and Stolen Art" by Travis Simpkins

Ivan Lindsay: Review of "History of Loot and Stolen Art" by Travis Simpkins

     A brief review I wrote for Unicorn Press (London, England) of Ivan Lindsay's "History of Loot and Stolen Art" is up on the Lindsay Fine Art Ltd. website here:

www.russianartdealer.com- Review by Travis Simpkins of Ivan Lindsay's "History of Loot and Stolen Art"

Ivan Lindsay: Review of "History of Loot and Stolen Art" by Travis Simpkins

How Sherlock Changed the World: Forensics

How Sherlock Changed the World

by Travis Simpkins

     Narrated by Andrew Lincoln, created by PBS, How Sherlock Changed the World (2013) is an intriguing two-part TV series that delves into the advances in criminal and forensic science investigations brought about by the ideas dispatched through Sherlock Holmes... the fictional 19th Century detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The documentary looks at the origins of the Holmes character, inspired by Doyle's real-life mentor, Dr. Joseph Bell. Much emphasis in pointed at how far ahead of their time Holmes' theories of deductive reasoning and forensic science really were, with the first forensics lab being utilized in 1935, nearly 50 years after Doyle's stories were published. Careful insight is given by contemporary forensic investigators, including the renowned Dr. Henry Lee, who explain how their love of the Sherlock Holmes stories still inspires their approach to modern crime scene analysis. Real-life cases are used, displaying how influential the process really is. From latent evidence to ballistics, many ideas were indeed conjured up by Doyle long before they were put to general use. Of particular interest are the parts that relate directly to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who later in life took on an investigation of his own, and worked diligently to help create the modern appeal system to clear those that were wrongly convicted through lack of proper evidence. The series also looks at popular depictions of the character, including that of Benedict Cumberbatch in BBC's Sherlock. The short documentary series is well worth the 110 minutes. 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Dr. Henry Lee

Dr. Henry Lee

Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes

a scene from "How Sherlock Changed the World"

Research: Worcester Art Museum "Then and Now" by Travis Simpkins. Update #33

     -The first photo, from 1910, shows a view of the third floor's East Gallery at the Worcester Art Museum. This photograph (from a glass plate negative) was likely an outtake, considering the abrasions and what appears to possibly be part of the photographer's dark cloth showing in the frame at far right. It provides a glimpse into the older, more laborious, process of photographing in the galleries. Today, this renovated space houses a rotating selection from WAM's post-1950 Art collection.
     -Considered by many to be an uninviting entrance to visitors arriving from Lancaster Street, in 2005 demolition began on the old Lancaster Terrace. Here, in the photo at left in this second "Then and Now" composition, the dig is in full swing. Construction of the new stairs and terrace took several months, during which time the Lancaster doors were closed and foot traffic had to be diverted to a side stairwell exit in the Higgins Education Wing.

     -The sketch depicts the Ancient Egyptian "Statuette of Hapidefai" (2060-1780 B.C.)

     -This last Knights! construction photo sequence (part 5 of 5) was documented over the course of nearly 4 months (15 weeks) during the various stages of the Higgins Armory collection installation in the 2nd floor Hiatt Gallery. "Helmutt", the armor-clad dog figure, can be seen in the 11th and 12th images.

3rd Floor (East Gallery). Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Lancaster Terrace. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Hapidefai. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Knights! Construction. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins