I’ve always been fascinated by the stories behind pieces of art, and I’m sure if the painting at the heart of Portrait Of An Unknown Woman by Camille de Peretti could tell its own story then it would be an extraordinary tale.
Inspired by the true story of a Gustav Klimt painting, Portrait Of A Lady was created in 1910 before being retouched by the artist a year later. The unusual circumstances surrounding the portrait didn’t end there: it was stolen in 1997, reappearing in the gardens of an Italian museum in 2019.
The author imagines the life of this unknown woman, moving from Vienna, Texas, and Manhattan. Centred around the life of Isidore and his illegitimate daughter Pearl, the story weaves their lives from the past into the present around the painting.
Originally published in French and translated by Hildegarde Serle, the essence of the story has been captured perfectly. A captivating read that would make an excellent addition to the big screen, the astonishing backstory may seem stranger than fiction – but it’s a magnificent and unforgettable adventure.
