Masterpiece - Hardcover

Glover, Miranda

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593054091 ISBN 13: 9780593054093

Publisher: Bantam Press, 2005

Synopsis

MASTERPIECE is a beautifully written, fast-paced page-turner set in the contemporary art scene featuring celebrated Brit-artist Esther Glass. In an audacious stroke she puts herself up for sale by auction at Sothebys as a living masterpiece, to be owned by the highest bidder for a week. For each day of her possession, she will perform as one of seven iconic women, themselves the subjects of great paintings from the past. (CHRISTINA OF DENMARK by Holbein, OLYMPIA by Manet, MADONNA OF THE PINKS by Raphael, MADAME DE SENGONNES by Ingres, MRS LEYLAND by Whistler, ISABELLA D'ESTE by Leonardo da Vinci, and JUDITH AND HOLOFERNES by Klimt.) Esther's extraordinary art adventure takes her to major European galleries and the Frick in New York to research her seven selected masterpieces. Once sold, she returns to Manhattan for her week of ownership. There she is forced to confront financial corruption by her dealers, the instability of her relationships with her lovers and, on her return to London, her own intrinsic values as an artist, daughter and woman. MASTERPIECE gives us rare access and insight into the workings of the contemporary art scene - and examines the effects of self-obsession, celebrity and greed on the part of its key players. It comes at a seminal moment when the art of sensation has possibly run its course. Where can it - and our heroine - possibly go next?

About this title

About the Author

Miranda Glover read English at Oxford before embarking on a publishing career, specialising in art, design and the web. She has edited several well-received books set in the art field as well as writing several art reference books. Miranda is married to a portrait photographer and they have two young children.

From the Inside Flap

Masterpiece tells the remarkable story of celebrated Brit-artist Esther Glass, who audaciously puts herself up for sale by auction at Sotheby s as a living masterpiece, to be owned by the highest bidder for a week. For each day of her possession , Esther will perform as one of seven iconic women, themselves the subjects of great paintings from the past Christina of Denmark by Holbein, Olympia by Manet, Madonna of the Pinks by Raphael, Madame de Senonnes by Ingres, Mrs Leyland by Whistler, Isabelle d Este by Leonardo da Vinci, and Judith and Holofernes by Klimt. A savvy media icon and seasoned global traveller, Esther's extraordinary art adventure first takes her to major European galleries and the Frick in New York to research her seven selected masterpieces. Once sold, she returns to Manhattan for her week of ownership. There she is forced to confront financial corruption by her dealers, the instability of her relationship with her lover and, on her return to London, her own core values as an artist, daughter and woman. Masterpiece gives us rare access and insight into the workings of the contemporary art scene and examines the effects of self-obsession, celebrity and greed on the part of its key players. It comes at a seminal moment when the art of sensation has possibly run its course. Where can it and our heroine possibly go next?

Edition details

• Publisher: Bantam Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593054091
• ISBN 13: 9780593054093
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400