MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW
Manchester 1987: Rosanna Hawkins is a masterful artist from the Victorian modern era who knew her paintings were "Nice" and "little." From the original paintings, they were intolerant. Rosanna was an upstanding woman of unimpeachable character with a family peopled with uprightness. Her employer Anton Greystone was astonished and delighted by her reproduced masterworks which reflected each stroke, each layer, and moreover, she was quick. Her speed and artistic style could match any style, be it modern, like Cole, or classical. Among the wealthy clients who either loved art or wished to understand it, her Renaissance work was highly in demand. She was not a creator, she reproduced with a great deal of skill, simplicity, and clarity. The masterworks Rosanna made were referred to as "Parlor versions" to sell to the emerging upper middle class of Manchester, as well as to some of the higher classes who preferred their painting to be bought cheaply.
Anton promises Rosanna to expand her work everywhere not only in local houses but also in the drawing rooms and parlors of fine homes from London to Glasgow and beyond. Rosanna was proud that she know how to distinguish her reproductions from the originals they so perfectly reflected. Anton took the money by selling the reproduced painting of Rosanna to the wealthy working class so that they could festoon their walls and halls with pictures.
Manchester was about to witness a vast array of world-famous art. Rosanna was interested and delighted to visit the Art Treasures exhibition display of Rembrandt etchings where she will own an original print on the streets of Manchester. What attracted visitors from London and America to Manchester's Arts Treasure exhibition was The Manchester Madonna, Michelangelo's recently discovered fragment of a study for Mary and Jesus painting. Rosanna desires to take this opportunity to visit the exhibition to educate herself to study, ponder and experiment with copying the masters up and close and in person. She is confident she could replicate the paintings at the exhibition flawlessly. Anton asked Rosanna to recreate the partial work of the Manchester Madonna, to recreate the painting to her surprise. So that she makes a worthy copy that will make them both rich. The concern is whether will Rosanna be able to duplicate an unfinished work to reproduce a partial work? The intention was to be famous, gain rewards, accolades, and greed to become rich.
The role of head of exhibition security at the Art Treasure in Manchester, thrilled Martin Harrison. Rosanna and Martin's paths cross in the hallways and galleries of the exhibition. Hawkins explains to Martin the art pieces that he is not aware of which amused and delighted him with a story, a painting, a sculpture, or a sketch. As they admire each other's talents and looks but their encounter only becomes romantic and flirtatious. The irony happens here as Martin accuses Rosanna of copying the paintings and for accompanying a theft that occurs at the exhibition. Rosanna wants to prove her innocence and Martin is on the way to catch the real thief of the paintings that goes missing on the day of Queen Victoria's visit to the Art exhibition in Manchester. The chase begins!!
The author has researched plenty about art history and brought to light the interesting era of Victorian times. The characters are intriguing and bring surprises along the way. Easy read and can be read as a standalone novel. The story is a bit predictable though after the half till the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel as it was a sweet and wonderful read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advance copy for my honest review.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Manchester, England, 1857
Rosanna Hawkins is one of Manchester’s finest artists, even though no one knows her name. She reproduces “parlor versions” of classic masterpieces with near-perfect precision, which her employer then sells to the emerging upper-middle class families.
When the largest art exhibition ever to be held in England opens in Manchester, Rosanna is excited to visit. She meets the handsome Inspector Martin Harrison, who is head of security, and is immediately intrigued by his charm, confidence, and portrait-worthy good looks. The two spend many a flirtatious afternoon exploring the exhibition hall, discussing art, and sharing their secret hopes. Rosanna dreams of painting something original and meaningful, and Martin hopes to one day shed the shadow of his father’s notorious past.
But when they discover the theft of some of the paintings—and all the evidence points to Rosanna—she must convince Inspector Harrison she is innocent and proposes a plan to capture the real art thief.
It is a daring race to catch the criminal before he disappears with the most priceless piece in the collection—Michaelangelo’s The Manchester Madonna. If Rosanna and Inspector Harrison fail, not only will the painting be lost forever but so will their chance to paint their own happily ever after.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- Publisher : Shadow Mountain Publishing (August 8, 2023)
- Publication date : August 8, 2023
- Print length : 241 pages
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