THE PORTRAIT

Pears, Iain

ISBN 10: 1573222984 / ISBN 13: 9781573222983

Published by Riverhead Books, New York, 2005

About this Item

Signed by the auuthor on tipped-in; A famous art critic, William Nasmyth, travels to a remote island to sit for a portrait by his former friend, Henry MacAlpine. MacAlpine, now living in self-imposed exile, uses the sitting as an opportunity to dissect Nasmyth and reveal his past, both good and bad, as he paints. The story explores the dynamic between artists and critics, the power of patronage, and the potential for revenge. ; 7.75 x 5 x 1 inches; 211 pages; Signed by Author Near Fine signature page. Appears unread.

Seller Inventory # 8715

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE PORTRAIT
• Publisher: Riverhead Books, New York
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1573222984
• ISBN 13: 9781573222983
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

A perfectly rendered short novel of suspense about a painter driven to extremes.

An influential art critic in the early years of the twentieth century journeys from London to the rustic, remote island of Houat, off France's northwest coast, to sit for a portrait painted by an old friend, a gifted but tormented artist living in self-imposed exile. Over the course of the sitting, the painter recalls their years of friendship, the double-edged gift of the critic's patronage, the power he wielded over aspiring artists, and his apparent callousness in anointing the careers of some and devastating the lives of others. The balance of power between the two men shifts dramatically as the critic becomes a passive subject, while the painter struggles to capture the character of the man, as well as his image, on canvas.

Reminiscing with ease and familiarity one minute, with anger and menace the next, the painter eventually reveals why he has accepted the commission of this portrait, why he left London suddenly and mysteriously at the height of his success, and why now, with dark determination, he feels ready to return.

Set against the dramatic, untamed landscape of Brittany during one of the most explosive periods in art history, The Portrait is rich with atmosphere and suggestion, psychological complexity, and marvelous detail. It is a novel you will want to begin again immediately after turning the last chilling page, to read once more with a watchful eye and appreciate the hand of an ingenious storyteller at work.

About the Author

Iain Pears is the author of the New York Times bestseller An Instance of the Fingerpost and the national bestseller The Dream of Scipio, as well as a series of acclaimed detective novels, a book of art history, and countless articles on artistic, financial, and historical subjects.