Masterpiece

A story of art and war, illicit passion and personal heroism, and of four people whose lives are bound together by a single work of art from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Improbability of Love.

'An exquisitely unfolding story of love and art' Esther Freud
'Emotionally consuming and beautifully told' Jennie Godfrey
'An enthralling meditation on the nature of art and the power of love across several centuries, superbly researched and full of memorable characters' Anthony Horowitz

TUSCANY, 1470: in the bright light of a new day, an artist lies awake, imagining a fresco that will shape his future and echo down the centuries.

1922: A member of the Bloomsbury Group writes to her secret lover about a painting that changed her life; she believes it will change his too.

1944: A British army captain is ordered to bomb a Tuscan hill town. Inside it hangs a painting said to be the greatest ever made. To save it, he must disobey orders, risking his career and even his freedom.

2014: A young conservator arrives in Sansepolcro to restore Piero della Francesca's Resurrection, and discovers she must preserve not only the painting but also the stories of those who saved it.

Drawing on real letters and unpublished diaries, this is the true story of four people who risked love and even their lives for one great masterpiece.

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Praise for Masterpiece:
'Dextrous, vivid and wise: a tonic and a celebration. My book of the year.' Cressida Connolly

'Masterpiece weaves history, art, war and love into a page-turning, unforgettable story.' Rosie Boycott

'Masterpiece is Hannah Rothschild's best novel by far. Brilliantly researched, it is a multi-period story which is both moving and convincing.' Antony Beevor

'A fast-paced, addictive page-turner, as gripping as the finest whodunnit' Geordie Greig
'A marvellous exploration of what art means to the individual, how it brings us together and how it helps us to communicate - across culture, time and experience - and to find our shared humanity. Rich and immersive: I loved it' Joanne Harris
'Hannah Rothschild proves herself a natural and addictive novelist' Andrew Marr

'A captivating, charming, heartbreaking novel that celebrates a gorgeous painting, a series of secret love affairs and the joy and transience of life itself, spanning history from the fifteen century to today with exquisite poignancy and delicious storytelling' Simon Sebag Montefiore

'Powerful and passionate, Masterpiece is a ravishing story about buried love and the art that might save us' Rachel Joyce