About the book
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
New York Times Notable author María Gainza, who dazzled critics with Optic Nerve, returns with the captivating story of an auction house employee on the trail of an enigmatic master forger
In the Buenos Aires art world, a master forger has achieved legendary status. Rumored to be a woman, she specializes in canvases by the painter Mariette Lydis, a portraitist of Argentinean high society. But who is this absurdly gifted creator of counterfeits? What motivates her? And what is her link to the community of artists who congregate, night after night, in a strange establishment called the Hotel Melancólico?
On the trail of this mysterious forger is our narrator, an art critic and auction house employee through whose hands counterfeit works have passed. As she begins to take on the role of art-world detective, adopting her own methods of deception and manipulation, she warns us “not to proceed in expectation of names, numbers or dates . . . My techniques are those of the impressionist.”
Driven by obsession and full of subtle surprise, Portrait of an Unknown Lady is a highly seductive and enveloping meditation on what we mean by \"authenticity\" in art, and a captivating exploration of the gap between what is lived and what is told.
Editions of Portrait of an Unknown Lady
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781646220328
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781646221752
- EBook
- ISBN 9781646220335
- Audiobook
- ISBN 9798212055192
Read an Excerpt
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
New York Times Notable author María Gainza, who dazzled critics with Optic Nerve, returns with the captivating story of an auction house employee on the trail of an enigmatic master forger
In the Buenos Aires art world, a master forger has achieved legendary status. Rumored to be a woman, she specializes in canvases by the painter Mariette Lydis, a portraitist of Argentinean high society. But who is this absurdly gifted creator of counterfeits? What motivates her? And what is her link to the community of artists who congregate, night after night, in a strange establishment called the Hotel Melancólico?
On the trail of this mysterious forger is our narrator, an art critic and auction house employee through whose hands counterfeit works have passed. As she begins to take on the role of art-world detective, adopting her own methods of deception and manipulation, she warns us “not to proceed in expectation of names, numbers or dates . . . My techniques are those of the impressionist.”
Driven by obsession and full of subtle surprise, Portrait of an Unknown Lady is a highly seductive and enveloping meditation on what we mean by \"authenticity\" in art, and a captivating exploration of the gap between what is lived and what is told.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Portrait of an Unknown Lady about?
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
New York Times Notable author María Gainza, who dazzled critics with Optic Nerve, returns with the captivating story of an auction house employee on the trail of an enigmatic master forger
In the Buenos Aires art world, a master forger has achieved legendary status. Rumored to be a woman, she specializes in canvases by the painter Mariette Lydis, a portraitist of Argentinean high society. But who is this absurdly gifted creator of counterfeits? What motivates her? And what is her link to the community of artists who congregate, night after night, in a strange establishment called the Hotel Melancólico?
On the trail of this mysterious forger is our narrator, an art critic and auction house employee through whose hands counterfeit works have passed. As she begins to take on the role of art-world detective, adopting her own methods of deception and manipulation, she warns us “not to proceed in expectation of names, numbers or dates . . . My techniques are those of the impressionist.”
Driven by obsession and full of subtle surprise, Portrait of an Unknown Lady is a highly seductive and enveloping meditation on what we mean by \"authenticity\" in art, and a captivating exploration of the gap between what is lived and what is told.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Portrait of an Unknown Lady?
Fiction > Crime and / or mystery fiction
Where can I read a sample of Portrait of an Unknown Lady?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781646220328
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Portrait of an Unknown Lady?
Maria Gainza
Who is the Publisher of the book Portrait of an Unknown Lady?
Catapult
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Portrait of an Unknown Lady is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781646220328) and paperback(ISBN 9781646221752) and ebook(ISBN 9781646220335) and audiobook(ISBN 9798212055192)
Where can I buy Portrait of an Unknown Lady online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Portrait of an Unknown Lady from below
Where can I buy Portrait of an Unknown Lady?