The New York Times bestselling luminous tale about art and human experience that is as breathtaking as any Vermeer painting
“A little gem of a novel . . . [and a] beautifully written exploration of the power of art.” —Parade
A professor invites a colleague from the art department to his home to see a painting that he has kept secret for decades. The professor swears it is a Vermeer—why has he hidden this important work for so long? The reasons unfold in a series of stories that trace ownership of the painting back to World War II and Amsterdam, and still further back to the moment of the work’s inspiration. As the painting moves through each owner’s hands, what was long hidden quietly surfaces, illuminating poignant moments in human lives. Vreeland’s characters remind us, through their love of the mysterious painting, how beauty transforms and why we reach for it, what lasts, and what in our lives is singular and unforgettable.
- ISBN10 014029628X
- ISBN13 9780140296280
- Publish Date 1 October 2000 (first published 1 September 1999)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 29 January 2010
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Penguin Putnam Inc
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 272
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780140296280