First published 2006
When a lost Caravaggio depicting Christ's arrest appears in the most unlikely location, three very different people find their lives intertwined by art and obsession. A brilliant researcher, a gruff painting restorer, and a mysterious art historian over ninety years old each play crucial roles in the discovery that will change everything they thought they knew about the master's work. Set against the backdrop of an Irish Jesuit residence where the painting has been hiding, the story follows these characters as they navigate the complex world of art authentication and the powerful emotions that great paintings can unleash. Jonathan Harr, the acclaimed American author who relocated to Rome to research this story, weaves together their individual quests into a tale about what drives people to dedicate their lives to art and the lengths they will go to uncover truth.
Genres: art, historical-fiction, mystery, thriller, art-history
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, quest
Setting: Ireland, Rome
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
292 pages · Paperback · Intrínseca