Beyond Blue and White: The Hidden History of Delftware and the Women Behind the Iconic Ceramic

by Genevieve Wheeler Brown

Genres: Nonfiction, History

336 pages, Hardcover

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Wondrously Bookish Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I know anything about ceramics before now? Absolutely not. Did I enjoy this audiobook tremendously and have learnt something in the bargain? Absolutely yes.

Not only is the author highly knowledgeable on ceramics, she manages to convey this wealth 9f knowledge in the most fascinating of ways, delving by turns into the chemistry of porcelain and ceramics making, its history on the world stage, and more specifically, Dutch women's special role in the making of Delftware.

I would recommend this book to fans of ceramics a and newbies alike and, if at all possible, in auidobook form as the narrator did a brilliant job both with the rhythm of the story and the pronunciation of the much trickier Dutch words.

Thank you Netgalley for this ALC.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was so well thought through, and a joy to read. It felt like the author genuinely loved exploring the history of Delftware, and that enthusiasm made me excited to keep reading. I thought the illustrations were really well chosen, and appreciated that they showed not just Delft pottery but also the environments where it would be displayed; the engravings of interiors, the social contexts, etc. They really made it easier to imagine the world this pottery was created in, and it felt totally immersive to read about things like historical royal gardens featuring giant Delftware vases and displays and then see illustrations of examples of those vases!

I immediately went to look up whether the author had other books out, and didn't see any others yet. So, publishing world, please publish more of her books! I want to read them! This is the kind of art history perspective I'm always wishing there was more of. A genuine, enthusiastic exploration of a facet of art history that I hadn't looked into before, giving an in-depth look at the world behind some really interesting crafts, with a focus on women's overlooked artistic work. I want to read so many books like this. I picked this off of the art history shelves of my local bookstore and bought it simply because I've been curious about the history of different kinds of pottery, and I'm so very glad I did.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history of Delftware and the cultural and art historical history of Delft.

I love histories that balance the sociocontextual significance of the subject with the science of it, and this book does well with conveying the history of Delftware as it impacts economics. culture, and collecting, as well as with the nuts and bolts of how the objects are actually made.

This isn’t original research in the art historical sense, but as far as I know it is the first time a writer and researcher has attempted to focus their text primarily on the history of women and Delftware, and as a result this feels like new information, even to someone like me who has an educational background in Dutch art.

Mostly I think this would make an excellent primer for those new to the subject of Delftware, though there is plenty here for readers who come in with some prior knowledge of the subject.

Wheeler Brown also touches on some general Dutch history and the art historical history of Delft in this era, and the result is an imminently readable micro history that also hits on some broader topics.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[anautumnaldream · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a wild entry into my reading list this year because i had never heard of this book before this month. however i am so glad that i ended up listening to it. i learned so much and enjoyed the way author gave me a look into the history of delftware. an absolute fun read.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read about the history of Delftware and the women that shaped it: from widows that ran production houses to New York’s elite building museums to save it.

[Kidlitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific history that reads like a good novel. I will never look at a piece of Delftware the same way again.

[luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did! Brown did a wonderful job at highlighting the history of Delftware, especially on such a broad scale.

[Stuart Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account of the intersection between Dutch and American women from the 17th century on based on the famous "blue and white" pottery developed in Delft.