Venice, 1510. The world's greatest artists gather to enjoy fame, fortune, and colour. When a wealthy merchant discovers a mysterious new pigment, he knows it would create a masterpiece in the right hands. For struggling artist Giorgione 'Zorzo' Barbarelli, success is far from reach. Until he's commissioned by the merchant to paint a portrait of his wife, Sybille. Impress him, and Zorzo could acquire the most coveted colour in the world - and write his name in history.
I enjoyed this book, which made me think about the parallels between literary fiction and fine art. Some passages begin as experimental outlines before the author brings them to life with deft touches of colour, adding light and shade until the scene pulls into focus.
The exotic setting of Renaissance Venice provides a huge canvas, the perfect backdrop for an intriguing cast of characters you soon begin to care about. I liked the unhurried pace and details of the painter’s studio.
This book is a lyrical, poignant and ambitious love story, with just the right mix of mystery and historical accuracy. I suspect I will return to it at some point in the future and discover something new.
Tony Riches
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About the Author
Damian Dibben was trained as an artist, and lives between the southbank of london and a cottage on the downs of West Sussex. He says, "Our corner of the country is like a land that time forgot: all ancient forests and secret hills. Whilst in the city, there's the river, theatres & galleries, the bustle, and the imprint everywhere of the past. Shakespeare, Newton and Wren trod the same paths of Southwark and you can sense them still. The future has a hold there too. Year upon year, extraordinary buildings rise up and the skyline never stops evolving." Find out more at Damian 's website https://www.damiandibben.com/ and find him on Facebook and Twitter @DamianDibben
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