The Masterpiece

The Masterpiece is a 2018 novel by Francine Rivers, an award-winning writer of Christian romances and historical fiction. Shortly after its release, The Masterpiece earned a spot on bestseller lists at The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly. It follows the story of a business relationship between an artist, Roman Velasco, and his assistant, Grace Moore, which blossoms into a tentative romance as they navigate past trauma and present heartbreak. Grace, a Christian, tries to live out her faith amid great personal difficulties, and Roman, who is initially a jaded skeptic toward matters of faith, gradually encounters the transforming presence of Christ.

This study guide uses the original 2018 edition from Tyndale House Publishers.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide include references to addiction, abuse, domestic violence, death by suicide, and the neglect and exploitation of children.

Plot Summary

Grace Moore is a recently divorced young woman with a baby son. She is looking for a job in the Los Angeles area. A temp agency sets her up as an assistant to an artist named Roman Velasco, who is known for both his canvas paintings and his commissioned murals. What is unknown to the public, however, is that Roman is also the graffiti artist known as “the Bird”; he spray-paints his illegal artwork around the city by night. Grace immediately impresses Roman with her skill and efficiency, though he finds her devoutness irritating. Grace, for her part, appreciates the work but is wary of Roman’s intentions toward her. She remains vigilant against falling into an ill-advised romance.

Since Grace lives too far away, Roman suggests that she rent the guest cottage on his estate. This allows her significantly more freedom to manage her life and her care of Samuel, her son. Grace’s friends set her up on a blind date with Brian Henley, a local youth pastor. Although Brian and Grace come to admire and respect one another, they mutually acknowledge that they do not have romantic chemistry. Nevertheless, their relationship becomes a point of envy for Roman, who begins to realize how much he cares for Grace.

Roman is offered a mural commission in northern California, so he and Grace take a road trip to investigate the proposed site. As they get to know each other better along the way, the trip turns into an exploration of their pasts. Roman stops at Masterson Ranch, the group home where he spent his teen years; he tells Grace how he was orphaned at seven after his mother died of a heroin overdose. Afterward, he lived in foster homes while also being involved with gangs. Grace discloses that she, too, was orphaned at seven after her physically abusive father beat her mother to death and then died by suicide. Grace was sent to live with her straitlaced, uncompassionate Aunt Elizabeth in Fresno.

On their return trip, Grace talks about her deep Christian faith, but Roman finds it difficult to believe in God in the face of their suffering. When they stop to get something to eat, Roman has a heart attack on the sidewalk and nearly dies. At this time, he experiences being dragged down a tunnel to hell by a demon. Crying out in pain, he calls out for Jesus to save him; he then experiences being lifted up while a voice commands the demon to let him go. He wakes in an ambulance, alive but terrified.

After recovering, Roman begins to explore faith with an open mind, but his habits and desires remain unchanged. He tries to get closer to Grace, as they both now acknowledge their immense romantic attraction. However, she gets upset when he suggests moving straight from their first kiss to a sexual relationship. She feels she cannot have a relationship with Roman and leaves town, taking Samuel and starting a new life for herself closer to her Aunt Elizabeth. Roman, devastated, nonetheless continues his spiritual journey, connecting for talks about faith with Brian Henley. Little by little, he begins to understand his need for salvation through Jesus, and his new faith transforms both his life and his art.

A few months later, Grace—who has tried unsuccessfully to put Roman out of her mind—comes across media coverage of his new murals, which resound with Christian imagery. Not long thereafter, Roman reestablishes contact with her, trusting that God is giving him a chance to try again. Having matured in both his faith and his understanding of relationships, Roman asks Grace to marry him. After their wedding, they start a life together in Grace’s new hometown of Merced, thriving as husband and wife, as parents, and as devout followers of Jesus Christ.