She Spent Five Years Unravelling an Art History Mystery

What if the iconic blue-and-white pottery sitting on your grandmother’s mantle was actually the key to an art history mystery? In this episode of *Now I've Heard Everything*, host Bill Thompson sits down with decorative art advisor, author, and former *Antiques Roadshow* expert Genevieve Wheeler Brown to discuss her new book, *Beyond Blue and White*. Genevieve shares the serendipitous story of stepping into a quiet New York City townhouse and discovering a rare cache of 17th- and 18th-century Dutch Delftware. What unfolded was an incredible "who-done-it" that revealed the hidden, powerful history of women in the arts and financial history. From female pottery owners who grew up down the street from Vermeer to the Gilded Age wives who bypassed sexist museum boards to found their own institutions, this episode explores how decorative arts served as a gateway to independence for women throughout history.Get your copy of Beyond Blue And White by Genevieve Wheeler BrownAs an Amazon Associate, Now I've Heard Everything may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.Chapters:01:16 – Porcelain vs. Earthenware: The 9th-Century Imitation Game 02:02 – From *Antiques Roadshow* to a New York City Mystery 03:41 – The Secret Women Entrepreneurs of the Dutch Golden Age 05:14 – Craft vs. Art: From Everyday Tables to Royal Commissions 07:03 – Financial Literacy and Equal Rights in the 17th Century 08:12 – The Golden Age of Archiving and Connecting the Dots 09:14 – Gilded Age Rebels: How Women Built Their Own Museums 10:48 – A 5-Year Writing Journey Born Out of a Zoom Lecture 14:00 – Getting Lost in the Smithsonian: Childhood Inspirations 16:38 – The Centennial Exposition of 1876 and the Women’s Pavilion 18:11 – Ceramics as a Gateway to Women's Suffrage and Independence 20:02 – The Science of Cobalt Blue: Technology Thinner Than Porcelain 21:46 – Is There Valuable Delftware Hiding in Your Attic? 22:51 – Wrap-up & Where to Find *Beyond Blue and White*Guest InformationGenevieve Wheeler BrownWebsiteSocial:Facebook Instagram 1988 interview with Alex HaleyEasier, more confident everyday conversation: "The Everyday What To Say"For more intriguing and engaging interviews each week, subscribe now on:Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube