The Portrait Artist

(Hardback)

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All that is hidden will soon be revealed . . .

'A triumph ... deliciously intriguing' Harriet Constable, author of The Instrumentalist
'Impeccably researched, masterfully plotted, beautifully written' Santa Montefiore
'Imaginative. The streets, parlours and galleries of London and Oxford come alive in this twisting, Victorian-era drama.' Charmaine Wilkerson, author of Black Cake

One morning in 1890, a painting wrapped in brown paper appears on the steps of the National Gallery and causes a sensation. Its clearly by Timothy Ponden-Hall, whose paintings were celebrated and debated not just for their beauty, but for the rumours behind them: they were believed to immortalise the souls of their subjects. But Ponden-Hall has been thought dead for the last 50 years. . .

In a bid to quiet the gossip and rumours that swirl around the streets of London, the gallery brings in renowned and reluctant art historian Solomon Oak to investigate. Oak is assisted by an unlikely aide: his daughter Alice. A passionate but sheltered student, Alice has worldly desires which eclipse the life shes expected to lead. Together they discover that exposing Ponden-Halls legacy will prove more controversial than they could ever have imagined for their family, and for Victorian society.

Set between London and Oxford, The Portrait Artist is a twisting debut exploring race, fame and long-kept secrets.

'An intriguing and original debut' Emily Howes

Reviews

A triumph deliciously intriguing -- Harriet Constable, author of The Instrumentalist
Impeccably researched, masterfully plotted, beautifully written -- Santa Montefiore, Sunday Times Bestselling author
Imaginative. The streets, parlours and galleries of London and Oxford come alive in this twisting, Victorian-era drama ... An intriguing exploration of art, ambition, race and women's roles in the Victorian era -- Charmaine Wilkerson, author of Black Cake
A vivid, twisting debut, full of intrigue kept me up late into the night -- Flora Carr, author of The Tower
Masterfully written with brilliant, compelling characters ... A beautiful, poignant story delivered with expert precision * Isabelle Schuler, author of Lady MacBethad *
An intriguing and original debut -- Emily Howes, author of The Painter's Daughter
A mystery of exquisite detail and originality What a joy to pass ones hours in the world of this book -- Nicholas Bowling, author of Witch Born

Author Bio

Dani Heywood-Lonsdale has paternal roots on the tiny island of Molokai, Hawaii referred to as the Sandwich Islands throughout The Portrait Artist - and maternal roots in the Philippines. She is a Faber Academy alumna and teaches English Literature in Oxfordshire.