The Eyes That Look: The Secret Story of Bassanos Hunting Dogs

(Paperback)

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We may have eyes that look - but how clearly do we see This compelling novel of art and adventure, Julia Grigg's debut, is set in the feverish creativity of mid-sixteenth century Italy. Francesco Bassano wants to find out how and why an extraordinary painting was made; the story traces his quest to discover the secrets of the portrait's past. Francesco's journey, his coming-of-age, takes him and his questions to Venice, Verona, Maser and Florence. Encountering the High Renaissance's masters Titian, Veronese and Vasari in the very act of creating and recording the era's stupendous art and architecture, he is witness to astonishing achievements. Enthralled, he learns of the determination needed for innovation and the sacrifices demanded of an artist if cherished ambition is to become reality. Little by little he unravels what lies behind the painting, gaining new understanding of love, truth and beauty, and of loyalty, devotion and the unbreakable bond between a master and his dogs. However, in delving deeper, the past's dark side reveals itself: cruelty, inhumanity and human frailty --- and Francesco cannot avoid the experience of bitter betrayal. A spirited, entertaining fiction drawing on historical facts, The Eyes that Look is multi-sensual in its storytelling, inviting readers to revel in the unrivalled artistic riches of the Italian Renaissance.

Reviews

Julia Griggs The Eyes that Look is an important and knowledgeable book about art history which also happens to be a beautifully-written novel Fay Weldon 'Julia Grigg has taken the facts of the past and created an absorbing and richly imagined portrait of a world, and a mystery, at the heart of one of historys most spectacular and important eras.' Emma Darwin 'An enticing novel, appealing in its sense of place and the historical world it explores.' Christopher Wakling 'This is a novel of many wonders. Julia Grigg makes us live, breathe, smell, taste and walk the streets of Renaissance Venice, Verona and Florence, seeing paintings by Titian as if the paint were still fresh and taking every step with the young artist who is to find his own place in history. She brings together the fruits of deep and sincere scholarship with an instinctive feeling for her characters, offsetting rich historical detail with a robust and irresistible humanity.' Celia Brayfield 'Gorgeous, lustrous writing a story alight with Griggs love of art.' Maggie Gee

Author Bio

As a journalist, Julia Grigg has written on fashion, food, travel and the arts, subjects in which she retains an abiding interest. Recruited as a writer by UNICEF, she worked for many years as an advocate for childrens issues in some of the worlds most demanding and complex countries.

The Eyes that Look was begun while studying for the Bath Spa University Masters course in Creative Writing. The research, in Italian archives, galleries and churches, allowed her to indulge a lifelong passion for the Renaissance.

Julia is working on her second novel, also set in mid-1500s Venice and Florence, and involving some of the same cast of characters as The Eyes that Look.

Dogs are another passion; she and her husband share their home with a pair of black and tan dachshunds.

www.juliagrigg.com