Note: This review was originally posted at Reader Views.
The eight stories in this collection are all inspired by, or based on, works of art. The author, Judith Dancoff, uses paintings or, for one story Roman glass, as jumping-off points. In each piece, she explores the mysteries behind the paintings or perhaps the unknown life of a model. The stories are rich in detail and are immersed in different time periods, covering topics as diverse as romance, empowerment, and wonder at the strangeness and beauty of the world. Dancoff has a powerful narrative voice, yet she easily adjusts it to meet the needs of each story and reflect the tone of the periods.
But to say these stories are inspired by art is sort of an injustice. These stories themselves are works of art. They are layered and nuanced, like fine confectionaries that, with each bite, your taste buds discover a new flavor.
The collection opens with “The Birthday of the Infanta”, a period piece set in 17th-century Spain and inspired by the painting of the same name. The story is told from the perspective of the painter Diego Velazquez’s sister as she describes her reflecting on her life and that of her brother. It’s a rich, historical piece that captures the period, the influence of religion, and life in the royal court.
The next story, “The Beautiful Gaze”, transitions perfectly from the previous story in that it follows the artist, John Singer Sargent, who is inspired by Velazquez. Sargent, a late 20th-century painter, is questioning his abilities after a recent work, Madame X, is lambasted by the French art community. He leaves for a new start in London, leaving behind a lover and the shambles of a promising career on the continent. In London, he finds new friends and new inspiration and creates the painting that inspired this story, Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose.
“The Calamity of Desire” is the centerpiece of this collection and, in my opinion, the most emotional. It is inspired by three posthumous portraits of a young woman by Gustav Klimt. The story, however, is told from the point of view of the young woman, spurned by her lover, she commits the ultimate sin and watches helplessly as her mother clings to the memory of her daughter. This story is raw yet thoughtful and it showcases some brilliant writing.
Another powerful and rich story is “Terminus”. I found it an interesting mixture of light and dark themes viewed from the standpoint of Annie Oakley as she and her husband visit Paris while touring with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. The story is also inspired by the oil painting, Annah the Javanese by Paul Gauguin. Although fictionalized, the story touches upon real events and attitudes of the time, all relayed through the innocent eyes of Oakley as she is exposed to things she had never before considered. I found it deeply moving.
“Still Life with Cherries” is a subtle story that focuses on a young painter named Louise Moillon, who was active in the early 1600s. It follows her as she grows up in an artistic and deeply religious household, her coming of age, and her desire to become an artist. It serves as a reminder of what women have had to endure in order to follow their dreams, as well as the shackles put on them by both family and religious beliefs.
One of the more modern stories is “Roman Glass”, which takes place in a fictional museum in Brooklyn, New York. The protagonist, Ruth, not only is a scholar of the art of collecting but is also a collector herself. She is caught between one man who ignores her and another who wants more from her. But despite her reluctance, she finally begins to realize that she can control her future. It’s a well-written story that stands out as the only one in this collection that isn’t inspired by a specific piece of art or artist.
The longest story in this collection is a novella titled, “Women Bathing”. It’s inspired by the later works of Renoir and some of his controversial comments about women, Jews, and other Impressionists. It follows Marie, a young widow from the French countryside who has traveled to Paris, against her family’s wishes, to become a painter. I found this story to be a wonderful example of pure storytelling. Marie has low self-esteem, which isn’t surprising as she’s the only woman in her painting classes. But she befriends a young man from America and another from Africa, and together they form a friendship that carries them through a turbulent moment in French history (the Dreyfus Affair at the turn of the last century). Renoir plays a substantial role, not only as a secondary character but also as a catalyst for Marie’s enlightenment. It’s a beautiful story that immersed me in both the rush of Parisian streets and the lush French countryside.
The final story, “Vermeer’s Light”, takes place in the mid-20th century and follows a painter, Julia, who is studying Vermeer and falling in love with a married man. She lives in a building comprised of artist studios. Her interest falls on Abe, a photographer who rents a small space in the same building. The slow build-up of their relationship is well done, and I found myself sympathizing with both characters. Their daily routine is interrupted by the arrival of new tenants, a young hippy woman and her musician boyfriend, both newly arrived from Prague. This isn’t quite a love story. It’s more of a story of introspection, coming to grips with reality, and self-realization. It’s a lovely, quiet way to close a wonderful collection of stories.
I recommend this short story collection to anyone who loves art, artists, and beautifully written stories.
You can see previous book reviews on my Reading List page.
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