In 1967 London, Odelle Bastien, a Trinidadian immigrant, begins working at the Skelton Institute under the enigmatic Marjorie Quick. When a lost masterpiece from the Spanish Civil War era surfaces, Odelle investigates its origins, leading to a dual narrative set in 1936 Spain. There, Olive Schloss, the daughter of a Viennese art dealer, hides her artistic talent while entangled with Isaac Robles, a revolutionary painter, and his sister Teresa. The plot centers on the deliberate misattribution of creative work and the dangerous secrets kept to protect artistic legacies during political upheaval.
Historians and art enthusiasts read this book to understand the intersection of gender, race, and the commodification of creativity. It appeals to those interested in the social dynamics of post-war London and the internal tensions of the Spanish Civil War. Readers finish the book with a clear perspective on how anonymity can be a tool for artistic survival and how the provenance of a painting often conceals more about its creator than the canvas reveals.
Balanced in tone; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2016
- Language
- EN
