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53 pages 1 hour read

The Last Painting of Sara De Vos

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

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Book Brief

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Dominic Smith

The Last Painting of Sara De Vos

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1950s

Theme
Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith, a 1950s art history PhD student, Eleanor Shipley, forges a painting by the 17th-century artist Sara de Vos, which unbeknownst to the owner, Marty de Groot, replaces the original stolen piece. Decades later, as an established art historian, Ellie faces potential exposure when both the original and her forgery surface at an exhibition she curates.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Melancholic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.1

42,353 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Dominic Smith's The Last Painting of Sara De Vos is lauded for its rich storytelling and intricate narrative, weaving together historical and contemporary threads. Critics praise the prose, character depth, and atmospheric detail. Some find the pacing uneven, with occasional predictability. Overall, it's an engaging, thought-provoking read for art enthusiasts and historical fiction fans.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Last Painting of Sara De Vos?

Readers who savor art history, mystery, and literary fiction in the vein of Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch or Tracy Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring will be captivated by Dominic Smith's The Last Painting of Sara De Vos. This novel intertwines historical and contemporary narratives, appealing to those who enjoy rich storytelling and intricate detail.

4.1

42,353 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

Sara de Vos

A 17th-century painter in the Netherlands who grapples with personal and financial challenges after a family tragedy, eventually making her mark in a profession dominated by men.

An Australian art historian who confronts feelings of being an outsider in the art world and becomes intricately involved in a mystery surrounding a famous painting.

A wealthy lawyer of Dutch descent in New York who becomes entangled in a scandal involving art forgery and seeks reconciliation later in life.

The young daughter of Sara de Vos, whose fate deeply impacts her mother's personal and professional journey.

Marty's wife during the 1950s, who experiences personal struggles and changes following the theft of a significant painting.

Sara’s husband and Kathrijn’s father, whose life takes a downward turn after a devastating family event.

A character who instigates an art forgery scheme for financial gain, representing the commodification of art.

An art professor and advisor who plays a role in guiding Ellie through her academic and professional path.

A Dutch shipwright fascinated by the emotional power of a particular painting, which becomes significant to his family's legacy.

A character whose personal loss during a plague resonates with Sara and influences her artistic expression.

An art courier whose interactions with Ellie mark a turning point in her relationship with her work and legacy.

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1950s

Theme
Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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