Publication
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, c2012.
Status
Available
Description
Boston painter Claire Roth has survived financially by painting reproductions, so when influential gallery owner Aiden Markel arrives with a bizarre proposal--her own show if she will forge a copy of a Degas, one of the pictures stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum--she says yes. As she works, Claire and Aiden become lovers, but she doesn't tell him about her discovery that the stolen Degas is itself a copy. This knowledge is Claire's lifeline when the finished forgery is discovered, Aiden and then Claire are both arrested, and only she can save them.
Media reviews
Shapiro’s brisk narrative takes the reader through Boston’s art world, the logistics of forgery and the perils of attribution, shuttling between the present and three years earlier, when Claire lost Isaac and first straddled the line between copying and fraud. Interwoven are letters from
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Gardner to a fictitious niece, Amelia, tracing the obscure circumstances under which she acquired the Degas. (The real-life Gardner burned all her correspondence. If, as in Shapiro’s imagining, she acknowledged replies with “Thanksissimo,” perhaps it’s just as well.) Show Less
Readers looking for insight into the Gardner heist will have to go elsewhere. But readers seeking an engaging novel about artists and art scandals will find “The Art Forger” rewarding for its skillful balance of brisk plotting, significant emotional depth and a multi-layered narration rich
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with a sense of moral consequence.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member mckait
I am not an artist, nor am I an art aficionado. So Why did I want to read this book? I had heard good things. I was about a third of the way into the story, and getting rather tired of Claire, to be honest, and I was thinking that this was a waste of my time. I wasn't caring enough about the story.
Claire had the misfortune of a romance that ended badly. The romance was with Isaac, a teacher, artist and scoundrel. He was clearly a drama queen and in my opinion was taking advantage of a student, but that doesn't have anything to do with the story. I didn't like Isaac either. Due to this romance, and the muddled ending between them, Claire ran into some trouble in the art world and had been having a hard time recovering any sort of respect. Artists are stubborn, they have to be. I know this to be true, as my son is an artist, and no matter what the world lays on them, they want to make art. They find ways to make money to make art. And such was Claire's story. She was making money, and not much of it, so she could make art.
Another thing that I believe most artists are is poor. That isn't a myth. There are many very good artists out there today who, for lack of funding, never have the opportunity to have their work seen by those that matter. You know who they are. They are in every business and in every endeavor. The famous, and infamous THEY who can make or break a person, an idea or an artist. More often than I would like, THEY are scoundrels, too. Not always, and that is what gives the rest of us hope. So... Claire finds herself meeting one of the good guys, the big shots, the make it or break it folks.. Aidan is easy on the eyes, to boot. uh oh. Should we worry about Claire? Or has her time finally come?
When Aidan comes to her studio, he finds that she does have talent, perhaps more than he ever expected, and he offers her a chance to show her work to the world. Claire has waited for this opportunity for a long time, and now that it's here, she is afraid. What to do? She has been hurt before. So many questions, so many fears.
Read it and find out what she decides. If it starts slowly for you, stick with it.. it is worth your time, in the end. There is a good story, a mystery with a little twist, and perhaps a bit of romance as well...or not.
recommended.
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I didn't care about Claire either. She seemed whiney and none too smart. She did seem to be talented. That wasn't enough to make me want to read more. But, I kept at it anyway.Claire had the misfortune of a romance that ended badly. The romance was with Isaac, a teacher, artist and scoundrel. He was clearly a drama queen and in my opinion was taking advantage of a student, but that doesn't have anything to do with the story. I didn't like Isaac either. Due to this romance, and the muddled ending between them, Claire ran into some trouble in the art world and had been having a hard time recovering any sort of respect. Artists are stubborn, they have to be. I know this to be true, as my son is an artist, and no matter what the world lays on them, they want to make art. They find ways to make money to make art. And such was Claire's story. She was making money, and not much of it, so she could make art.
Another thing that I believe most artists are is poor. That isn't a myth. There are many very good artists out there today who, for lack of funding, never have the opportunity to have their work seen by those that matter. You know who they are. They are in every business and in every endeavor. The famous, and infamous THEY who can make or break a person, an idea or an artist. More often than I would like, THEY are scoundrels, too. Not always, and that is what gives the rest of us hope. So... Claire finds herself meeting one of the good guys, the big shots, the make it or break it folks.. Aidan is easy on the eyes, to boot. uh oh. Should we worry about Claire? Or has her time finally come?
When Aidan comes to her studio, he finds that she does have talent, perhaps more than he ever expected, and he offers her a chance to show her work to the world. Claire has waited for this opportunity for a long time, and now that it's here, she is afraid. What to do? She has been hurt before. So many questions, so many fears.
Read it and find out what she decides. If it starts slowly for you, stick with it.. it is worth your time, in the end. There is a good story, a mystery with a little twist, and perhaps a bit of romance as well...or not.
recommended.
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LibraryThing member msf59
“In the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, a pair of thieves disguised as Boston police officers entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and roamed the Museum’s galleries, stealing thirteen works of art.”
“It remains the largest unsolved art heist in history.”
-The Gardner Museum
Claire Roth is a talented young artist, but after being involved in a scandal, involving a past boyfriend, she has been black-balled by the art community. She now paints reproductions. When an old friend and gallery owner, approaches her, to forge a painting, he offers her a chance to have her own, one-woman show, which will gain her the respect she yearns for. The glitch is: the Degas painting that she is asked to copy, appears to be one of the stolen artworks, from the Gardner theft.
This sends Claire down a very dangerous path, which involves local police, the FBI and possible prison time.
There is mystery, intrigue, romance and gorgeous descriptions of art and the process of creating art. The author seems to know her stuff. The novel begins to stretch credibility in the last third or so, but not quite enough to sink the story. A good, old-fashioned yarn.
“It remains the largest unsolved art heist in history.”
-The Gardner Museum
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HeistClaire Roth is a talented young artist, but after being involved in a scandal, involving a past boyfriend, she has been black-balled by the art community. She now paints reproductions. When an old friend and gallery owner, approaches her, to forge a painting, he offers her a chance to have her own, one-woman show, which will gain her the respect she yearns for. The glitch is: the Degas painting that she is asked to copy, appears to be one of the stolen artworks, from the Gardner theft.
This sends Claire down a very dangerous path, which involves local police, the FBI and possible prison time.
There is mystery, intrigue, romance and gorgeous descriptions of art and the process of creating art. The author seems to know her stuff. The novel begins to stretch credibility in the last third or so, but not quite enough to sink the story. A good, old-fashioned yarn.
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LibraryThing member Liz1564
This is an Early Review copy. Thank you.
This is a fascinating layered mystery about art, art thefts, art forgers and the value attached to an artist's name. The protagonist is Claire Roth, a brilliant young artist who is in no man's land because of an apparently unforgivable sin she committed three
When she is asked to copy a painting for an exorbitant amount of money and the explanation that only good will come of her forgery, she agrees with reservations. Her fears are realized when the painting turns out to be Degas' After The Bath, one of the masterpieces stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. Her client plans to sell the forgery to the buyer, return the original to the museum, and possibly use the chain of contacts to discover the other missing works. Because her client also owns the most prestigious art gallery in Boston, he promises her an exclusive one-woman show of her paintings.
What follows is a roller-coaster ride through world of world class art. Shapiro tells a classic heist tale and asks serious questions in the process. Why is a great painting judged by who painted it? Is a painting worth millions only because it has Degas' signature? Why would the exact same painting be worth a few thousand if another artist painted it and signed his own name? Is it true that the more someone pays for a painting, the less likely it is that the painting will be declared a forgery? How expert are the experts?
When is a Degas not a Degas? It wouldn't be fair to reveal any more of the complicated plot.
I really enjoyed this entertaining and detailed look at the modern art scene, with all of its twist and turns.
This is a fascinating layered mystery about art, art thefts, art forgers and the value attached to an artist's name. The protagonist is Claire Roth, a brilliant young artist who is in no man's land because of an apparently unforgivable sin she committed three
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years before the novel opens. Because she dared to cast aspersions on the reputation of modern art icon, the art community on the East Coast considers her work beneath contempt. She manages to earn a living by copying great paintings for Reproductions.com, an online company. As the author explains, it is not a crime to sell a copy of an original painting. It is a crime to sell a copy as an original. To protect herself against possible charges of forgery, Claire puts a tiny speck of something in each painting that she could identify to prove it is a copy.When she is asked to copy a painting for an exorbitant amount of money and the explanation that only good will come of her forgery, she agrees with reservations. Her fears are realized when the painting turns out to be Degas' After The Bath, one of the masterpieces stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. Her client plans to sell the forgery to the buyer, return the original to the museum, and possibly use the chain of contacts to discover the other missing works. Because her client also owns the most prestigious art gallery in Boston, he promises her an exclusive one-woman show of her paintings.
What follows is a roller-coaster ride through world of world class art. Shapiro tells a classic heist tale and asks serious questions in the process. Why is a great painting judged by who painted it? Is a painting worth millions only because it has Degas' signature? Why would the exact same painting be worth a few thousand if another artist painted it and signed his own name? Is it true that the more someone pays for a painting, the less likely it is that the painting will be declared a forgery? How expert are the experts?
When is a Degas not a Degas? It wouldn't be fair to reveal any more of the complicated plot.
I really enjoyed this entertaining and detailed look at the modern art scene, with all of its twist and turns.
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LibraryThing member sunqueen
This was an entertaining and interesting read. The plot was well thought out and moved at fast pace and always kept my interest. I enjoyed learning more about the "art world", art restoration and forgery. Also very cool to see the artist process. Thanks Early Reviewer's!!
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
B. A. Shapiro’s The Art Forger takes readers on a whirlwind adventure through the world of art collection, family secrets, and the high stakes that comes with each. Claire Roth is a master art forger, paid to reproduce famous works of art to be sold to collectors who cannot afford the real deals.
Unlike other novels about artists or the art world read, The Art Forger is one of the first novels where the art world makes sense. The act of painting becomes more than blending a few colors on a canvas and shows itself to be a sophisticated labor of love, time, knowledge, and dedication. The art world itself, as portrayed in the novel, is more than the ritzy, black-tie gala unveilings or quirky art shows that one stereotypically envisions. It too becomes a world of passion, money, and fame as dealers gamble to find the next great artist and collectors rush to show off prized pieces. The stakes are high, higher than most people realize, and Ms. Shapiro skillfully captures it all.
Claire Roth is a fiercely independent and yet damaged character, someone with whom readers will fall in love given her vulnerability and resolute pride. Her past harbors shadows, and the discovery of them is as enjoyable as the main mystery. More importantly, Claire has heart. She is not just an embittered starving artist. She can laugh at herself for being a living cliché while worrying about making a difference in the lives of others. Her passion, her determination, and ultimately her flaws make her a character worth following.
Much in the same way an artist layers oil-based paints to achieve depth and a kaleidoscope of color, Ms. Shapiro uses multiple layers to create an intricate and breathtaking novel. Claire is wonderfully complex and one of the more realistic characters to grace the written page. The story itself is beautifully written and contains plenty of plot twists to interest even the most hesitant of readers. With its basis in true story crime, The Art Forger captures a reader’s imagination from the very first page and continues to thrill and delight.
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Not her dream job, when she is offered the chance to do one last forgery in exchange for the opportunity to showcase her original artwork at a prestigious gallery, she throws aside her objections and approaches the project with cautious abandon. She quickly rues her decision as the stakes move beyond her professional career and become truly life-and-death. What follows is as detailed and hypnotic as any Old Master painting.Unlike other novels about artists or the art world read, The Art Forger is one of the first novels where the art world makes sense. The act of painting becomes more than blending a few colors on a canvas and shows itself to be a sophisticated labor of love, time, knowledge, and dedication. The art world itself, as portrayed in the novel, is more than the ritzy, black-tie gala unveilings or quirky art shows that one stereotypically envisions. It too becomes a world of passion, money, and fame as dealers gamble to find the next great artist and collectors rush to show off prized pieces. The stakes are high, higher than most people realize, and Ms. Shapiro skillfully captures it all.
Claire Roth is a fiercely independent and yet damaged character, someone with whom readers will fall in love given her vulnerability and resolute pride. Her past harbors shadows, and the discovery of them is as enjoyable as the main mystery. More importantly, Claire has heart. She is not just an embittered starving artist. She can laugh at herself for being a living cliché while worrying about making a difference in the lives of others. Her passion, her determination, and ultimately her flaws make her a character worth following.
Much in the same way an artist layers oil-based paints to achieve depth and a kaleidoscope of color, Ms. Shapiro uses multiple layers to create an intricate and breathtaking novel. Claire is wonderfully complex and one of the more realistic characters to grace the written page. The story itself is beautifully written and contains plenty of plot twists to interest even the most hesitant of readers. With its basis in true story crime, The Art Forger captures a reader’s imagination from the very first page and continues to thrill and delight.
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LibraryThing member JBD1
Maybe it's my fascination with forgeries. Maybe's it's that the book is set in Boston, right near where I lived for several years. I'm sure it's partly both of those things, but I'm also sure that much of why I absolutely loved B. A. Shapiro's debut novel The Art Forger (Algonquin Books, 2012) is
Claire Roth, a down-on-her-luck artist stuck doing reproduction work to make ends (sort of) meet, is surprised one day when a high-end Newbury Street gallery owner shows up and asks her to create a copy of a masterpiece to order. But this is not just any masterpiece: he asks Claire to create a copy of a Degas painting which she immediately recognizes as one stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the famous 1990 heist. Shapiro takes this basic plot and makes an absolutely wonderful tale of it, weaving in layer after layer of deceit, confusion, and historical detective work.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Claire's checkered past in the art world, delve into the dark underbelly of the art market and explore what might have been behind the Gardner thefts, and also take a flight of fancy back to the days of Mrs. Jack herself.
I had to pace myself a bit so that I didn't zoom through this one all in one go. Shapiro clearly enjoyed the research process, and besides just being a good story, the novel also provides a readable take on just what forgery means and about the power of art and story more generally.
Highly recommended.
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that it's just a good book.Claire Roth, a down-on-her-luck artist stuck doing reproduction work to make ends (sort of) meet, is surprised one day when a high-end Newbury Street gallery owner shows up and asks her to create a copy of a masterpiece to order. But this is not just any masterpiece: he asks Claire to create a copy of a Degas painting which she immediately recognizes as one stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the famous 1990 heist. Shapiro takes this basic plot and makes an absolutely wonderful tale of it, weaving in layer after layer of deceit, confusion, and historical detective work.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Claire's checkered past in the art world, delve into the dark underbelly of the art market and explore what might have been behind the Gardner thefts, and also take a flight of fancy back to the days of Mrs. Jack herself.
I had to pace myself a bit so that I didn't zoom through this one all in one go. Shapiro clearly enjoyed the research process, and besides just being a good story, the novel also provides a readable take on just what forgery means and about the power of art and story more generally.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member mamzel
A background in art and necessary supplies, while not necessary, would probably make this book more interesting. The reader is treated to a lot of information about the art of forging art in this book.
Claire Roth, a struggling artist, makes ends meet by reproducing masterpieces with a particular
The story is broken into up letters written by the woman who created the museum, a few years earlier when Claire was helping a friend come out of a creative funk, and the present, written in first person, from Claire's point of view.
While undeniably an interesting story, I found Claire rather flat and felt none of her passion for art and her favorite artist, Degas. The description of taking an old canvas, removing the original paint, preparing the canvas, and making a copy of an original master, was given in great detail but I really had a hard time believing that such a young woman would have enough talent and practice to pull it off.
Claire Roth, a struggling artist, makes ends meet by reproducing masterpieces with a particular
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talent for Degas. She is approached to copy a Degas painting previously thought to be part of a heist from an art museum that had never been recovered. While studying the painting she becomes more and more sure that the painting she was studying was a forgery itself. Which begs the question - where is the original?The story is broken into up letters written by the woman who created the museum, a few years earlier when Claire was helping a friend come out of a creative funk, and the present, written in first person, from Claire's point of view.
While undeniably an interesting story, I found Claire rather flat and felt none of her passion for art and her favorite artist, Degas. The description of taking an old canvas, removing the original paint, preparing the canvas, and making a copy of an original master, was given in great detail but I really had a hard time believing that such a young woman would have enough talent and practice to pull it off.
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LibraryThing member CharlieCascino
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was very well thought out, and executed in such a way that it moved quickly without the reader feeling like they have to catch up with the author. The technical descriptions of the painting and forging process were absolutely fascinating and did not, in any
It is, above everything else, a mystery to solve, and I enjoyed guessing along with the main character where the lost painting might be, if it even was lost in the first place, and how it would or could be found.
I would definitely look for something else from this author.
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way, slow down the story. As someone who always wished for some artistic talent, but has always been found wanting, this window into the world of “the struggling artist” was an eye-opener for me. The relationships the main character has and builds through the novel seem genuine and plausible, and I did not feel anything was missing in the character development even in such a fast-paced novel. It is, above everything else, a mystery to solve, and I enjoyed guessing along with the main character where the lost painting might be, if it even was lost in the first place, and how it would or could be found.
I would definitely look for something else from this author.
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LibraryThing member Fjumonvi
On a framework of fact--a major theft of art from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the lives of art collector Gardner and artist Edgar Degas--artist B. A. Shapiro hangs the flesh of fictional characters and events. Protagonist Claire Roth, an aspiring artist who makes ends (almost) meet
Although I sympathized with Claire, whose intentions were often better than her judgment, I didn't really like her or the other major characters. I did, however, like the book a great deal. The action is fast-paced, with many twists and turns. Extensive research underpins the plot, and Shapiro deftly makes the implausible seem believable. The information about how to make copies appear to be authentic is fascinating. Strongly recommended.
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by copying masterpieces as an employee of Reproductions.com, narrates her story. Flashbacks explain why Claire is a pariah in the art world, and letters add Gardner's perspective on century-old events that impact the present. When Claire applies her copying skills to one of the paintings stolen from the Gardner Museum, she finds herself teetering between a level of success she has only dreamed about and a level of disgrace she never imagined--including the threat of prison.Although I sympathized with Claire, whose intentions were often better than her judgment, I didn't really like her or the other major characters. I did, however, like the book a great deal. The action is fast-paced, with many twists and turns. Extensive research underpins the plot, and Shapiro deftly makes the implausible seem believable. The information about how to make copies appear to be authentic is fascinating. Strongly recommended.
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LibraryThing member KevinJoseph
I enjoyed The Art Forger, both as a cleverly-plotted mystery/thriller and for the authentic-feeling detail it uses to describe the way in which old oil paintings can be reproduced or forged. The plot is built on a real crime, the 1990 Gardner Museum art heist. Thirteeen works of art were stolen,
Markel claims to have the stolen Degas masterpiece "After the Bath" in his posession and is willing to pay Roth a large sum of money and show her paintings in his gallery if she paints a forgery that fools the art authenticators. When Roth initially balks at the offer based on ethical and legal concerns, Markel rationalizes the crime by promising to return the original to the Gardner Museum after he collects a handsome fee by selling the forged copy through a chain of middlemen that he believes makes it impossible to trace the transaction to either of them.
Roth's eventual acceptance of this Faustian bargain requires the reader to understand why she's been black-balled by the art establishment, a back story involving a former boyfriend whose masterpiece painting was actually Roth's own handiwork, and why passing off the Degal forgery as an original would provide the kind of validation and redemption she seeks. Once the events are set in motion, Roth begins to suspect there is more to the game that she was led to believe. Despite her suspicions that the "After the Bath" Markel possesses is itself a forgery, she becomes romatically involved with him and continues to work on forging the painting, all the while sleuthing to try to validate her theory. Predicatably, Roth and Markel are not as insulated from their misdeeds as they had hoped, forcing Roth to solve the mystery of the stolen painting's origins before their lives are ruined.
While Claire and Roth are not the most believable or likeable of characters, I found the writing to be well above what I encounter in most thrillers, the plot twisty enough to keep me guessing for a while, and the descriptions of the art world to ring true. This is a novel I would recommend.
-Kevin Joseph, author of The Champion Make
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making it the largest unsolved art theft in history. From there, B.A. Shapiro fictionlizes the facts, as gallery owner Aiden Markel suddenly propositions disgraced art reporducer Clair Roth with an offer she can't refuse.Markel claims to have the stolen Degas masterpiece "After the Bath" in his posession and is willing to pay Roth a large sum of money and show her paintings in his gallery if she paints a forgery that fools the art authenticators. When Roth initially balks at the offer based on ethical and legal concerns, Markel rationalizes the crime by promising to return the original to the Gardner Museum after he collects a handsome fee by selling the forged copy through a chain of middlemen that he believes makes it impossible to trace the transaction to either of them.
Roth's eventual acceptance of this Faustian bargain requires the reader to understand why she's been black-balled by the art establishment, a back story involving a former boyfriend whose masterpiece painting was actually Roth's own handiwork, and why passing off the Degal forgery as an original would provide the kind of validation and redemption she seeks. Once the events are set in motion, Roth begins to suspect there is more to the game that she was led to believe. Despite her suspicions that the "After the Bath" Markel possesses is itself a forgery, she becomes romatically involved with him and continues to work on forging the painting, all the while sleuthing to try to validate her theory. Predicatably, Roth and Markel are not as insulated from their misdeeds as they had hoped, forcing Roth to solve the mystery of the stolen painting's origins before their lives are ruined.
While Claire and Roth are not the most believable or likeable of characters, I found the writing to be well above what I encounter in most thrillers, the plot twisty enough to keep me guessing for a while, and the descriptions of the art world to ring true. This is a novel I would recommend.
-Kevin Joseph, author of The Champion Make
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LibraryThing member Shuffy2
Would you copy, or forge, a stolen Masterpiece if you knew the original would go back to the museum? What if it was Degas, would you do it for $50,000?
Claire Roth, an artist who works for reproductions.com with a specialty in replicating Degas, is contacted by Aiden Markel, an influential gallery
I loved this book, such a page turner! As an art history buff I was riveted by the seamless blend of fact and fiction; one even begins to wonder if the theory is plausible ;) I could not put it down until I was done. I would highly recommend the book to any mystery enthusiasts and/or art aficionados!
Claire Roth, an artist who works for reproductions.com with a specialty in replicating Degas, is contacted by Aiden Markel, an influential gallery
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owner. He offers her a deal- forge a painting and he’ll give her a show at his gallery; the painting is a famous Degas, stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in an unsolved art heist from twenty years earlier. Against her better judgment she accepts, believing that the original will go back to the gallery after selling the forgery so it will be a moral victory in the end. But things take a drastic turn; she will have a hard time differentiating between real and fake, right and wrong and knowing who to trust.I loved this book, such a page turner! As an art history buff I was riveted by the seamless blend of fact and fiction; one even begins to wonder if the theory is plausible ;) I could not put it down until I was done. I would highly recommend the book to any mystery enthusiasts and/or art aficionados!
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
*I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.*
The unsolved art heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which removed priceless prices of art from a renowned museum, has plenty about it to capture the imagine and it certainly provided inspiration for this novel. The Art Forger
The unsolved art heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which removed priceless prices of art from a renowned museum, has plenty about it to capture the imagine and it certainly provided inspiration for this novel. The Art Forger
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focuses on Claire Roth, an aspiring young artist with a checkered past. When she is offered the chance at having her own show in return for copying one of the paintings from the Gardner heist, Claire reluctantly accepts. However, she is brought the painting she is supposed to copy, Claire begins to have suspicions about the painting, which lead her to discover a secret over a century old and that even the best experts can be mistaken. A fun and enjoyable read, highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member SqueakyChu
Clare Roth, talented artist and art copier, is given the chance to paint a reproduction of an Edgar Degas oil painting that she believes had been stolen from a Boston Museum. Putting aside doubts, she ventures forward with this task as she is attracted to Aiden, the art gallery manager, who offers
I found this novel with its mix of fact, fiction, and art a more enjoyable read that I first thought when I began the book. Sadly, I never learned much in depth about the individual characters, but I did enjoy the many plot twists and being taught about the gentle art offorging, er, copying famous paintings. I'm now looking forward to seeing some real works by Edgar Degas, and, for sure, I'll have this novel in mind when I finally see them.
I'm glad that I could not predict exactly what would happen in this story (although I was closer than I usually am) as mysteries are generally not my thing. Overall, I'd say that this novel is light and fun to read.
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Clare her own show in his gallery in exchange for copying the Degas painting.I found this novel with its mix of fact, fiction, and art a more enjoyable read that I first thought when I began the book. Sadly, I never learned much in depth about the individual characters, but I did enjoy the many plot twists and being taught about the gentle art of
I'm glad that I could not predict exactly what would happen in this story (although I was closer than I usually am) as mysteries are generally not my thing. Overall, I'd say that this novel is light and fun to read.
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LibraryThing member dianaleez
B.A. Shapiro's 'The Art Forger' is set in the Boston art world. Claire Roth, a struggling artist with a dubious reputation, is making ends meet by painting reproductions of famous works for an online site. Opportunity beckons when an important gallery owner offers her the chance to forge one of the
The plot may be intriguing, but the writing isn't. Shapiro's story plods along, held back by her bland presentation.
This one just wasn't a keeper for me.
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Degas works stolen from the Gardner Museum.The plot may be intriguing, but the writing isn't. Shapiro's story plods along, held back by her bland presentation.
This one just wasn't a keeper for me.
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LibraryThing member exploreacademy
This book was great. I love art books and I love adventure books. The fact that this book by BA Shapiro combined the two made it a unique read. The protagonist, Claire Roth is in a dire situation. She is literally a starving artist, but it seems liker her luck is about to change when she is
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approached by Aiden Markel, a gallery owner. Only he offers her a unexpected job to forge a famous Degas painting, and Claire can not refuse. As the story progresses her situation gets more and more desperate. For her own reputation, and the reputation of others involved in the forgery, she goes on a crazy search for the real Degas painting and her life is forever changed. Unfortunately, the truth is harder to find than Claire originally thought. Show Less
LibraryThing member kellyslist
The Art Forger follows a struggling artist, Claire, who decides to participate in a scheme to forge a famous Degas. The plan is supposed to end with the return of the stolen painting back to it's rightful place, but of course, nothing is simple. Claire has a scandalous past that she's trying to
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overcome, which adds another layer to the story. I enjoyed the details of the forging/painting process. They could've bogged down the novel, but Shapiro seemed to know when to move on to other action. Show Less
LibraryThing member Abi516
Boston starving artist Claire Roth helped pay her bills by working for a company painting high quality reproductions of master oil paintings. Little did she know that the skills she learned for that trade would change her world. When one of the top gallery owners and art collectors of Boston
This was a book I didn't want to put down- a fascinating read that held my attention start to finish. Definitely a recommended read!
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arrived at her door and asked for her help in copying a Degas famously stolen in a heist from the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum some twenty years earlier- she truly begins to wonder if her gift for copying is truly a gift or a curse. She throws everything she has into the effort and gets swept up in the mystery and potential success it could give her.This was a book I didn't want to put down- a fascinating read that held my attention start to finish. Definitely a recommended read!
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LibraryThing member hollysing
The largest art heist in history occurred in 1990 when two men stole $500 million in artwork from the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
Frustrated and under-appreciated art reproducer Clare Roth specializes in reproducing Degas paintings. She struggles to solve the mystery surrounding the
Part thriller, part romance, part treatise on the art world, The Art Forger delivers strongly as an original literary thriller. B.A. Shapiro weaves the heist, art forgery, and her mastery of the art world into an exciting well-researched novel. Her premise explores the fine line between reproducing art versus forgery. The weakness of the characters is a fissure in the struts of the book, but de-tangling the mystery seems the greater draw.
LibraryThing graciously supplied the advance reader’s copy for my unbiased opinion.
Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of [Crestmont].
Frustrated and under-appreciated art reproducer Clare Roth specializes in reproducing Degas paintings. She struggles to solve the mystery surrounding the
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heist, keep her head above water, and maintain her integrity.Part thriller, part romance, part treatise on the art world, The Art Forger delivers strongly as an original literary thriller. B.A. Shapiro weaves the heist, art forgery, and her mastery of the art world into an exciting well-researched novel. Her premise explores the fine line between reproducing art versus forgery. The weakness of the characters is a fissure in the struts of the book, but de-tangling the mystery seems the greater draw.
LibraryThing graciously supplied the advance reader’s copy for my unbiased opinion.
Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of [Crestmont].
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LibraryThing member BookDivasReads
Claire Roth is a struggling artist. She struggles with her art and struggles to overcome her somewhat infamous past. To make ends meet, Claire survives by making "copies" for the company Reproductions. Her work isn't forgery per se as it is clearly sold as a copy of other works of art. It is
Aiden approaches Claire with an amazing opportunity, an opportunity to "do good" according to Aiden. He wants Claire to forge a presumed stolen piece of art and he will sell the forgery and return the stolen art to the Gardner Museum. Claire will make a lot of money if she agrees and get a one-woman show in his gallery. Hesitant at first, Claire eventually agrees. This is the beginning of a nightmare, not only for Claire but also for Aiden.
Neither Claire nor Aiden are necessarily bad people, but their motives force them to make some bad decisions with far-reaching consequences. Aiden is primarily motivated by making money, whereas Claire appears to be motivated by the notion of "doing good," making some money and getting a show that will prove to the art world that she's a true artist. In Claire's quest to do good, she makes a startling discovery and attempts to find historical references to prove her point. Unfortunately, the impossible happens before she can conclude her research. Can Claire prove her point without further damaging her reputation?
Ms. Shapiro has presented a story that is filled with history, drama and intrigue. The history surrounds not only the Gardner museum and the theft but also Isabella Stewart Gardner and Degas. The story highlights Mrs. Gardner's life with letters sent to her niece, detailing tidbits of her life and interactions with several European artists like Degas. The reader is also given glimpses into Claire's history and the debacle surrounding a piece of art her deceased, ex-boyfriend supposedly painted. Ms. Shapiro also provides great information on the history of art forgery and the techniques used to fool museums around the world. The characters are well developed and all of the action and settings seem quite realistic. The Art Forger is an amazing read, a fantastic blend of fact and fiction, and one that will leave you craving more information on the seedier side of the art world. This is definitely a must-read for those that enjoy literary thrillers.
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because of this history, along with her infamy, that she comes to the attention of gallery owner Aiden Markel.Aiden approaches Claire with an amazing opportunity, an opportunity to "do good" according to Aiden. He wants Claire to forge a presumed stolen piece of art and he will sell the forgery and return the stolen art to the Gardner Museum. Claire will make a lot of money if she agrees and get a one-woman show in his gallery. Hesitant at first, Claire eventually agrees. This is the beginning of a nightmare, not only for Claire but also for Aiden.
Neither Claire nor Aiden are necessarily bad people, but their motives force them to make some bad decisions with far-reaching consequences. Aiden is primarily motivated by making money, whereas Claire appears to be motivated by the notion of "doing good," making some money and getting a show that will prove to the art world that she's a true artist. In Claire's quest to do good, she makes a startling discovery and attempts to find historical references to prove her point. Unfortunately, the impossible happens before she can conclude her research. Can Claire prove her point without further damaging her reputation?
Ms. Shapiro has presented a story that is filled with history, drama and intrigue. The history surrounds not only the Gardner museum and the theft but also Isabella Stewart Gardner and Degas. The story highlights Mrs. Gardner's life with letters sent to her niece, detailing tidbits of her life and interactions with several European artists like Degas. The reader is also given glimpses into Claire's history and the debacle surrounding a piece of art her deceased, ex-boyfriend supposedly painted. Ms. Shapiro also provides great information on the history of art forgery and the techniques used to fool museums around the world. The characters are well developed and all of the action and settings seem quite realistic. The Art Forger is an amazing read, a fantastic blend of fact and fiction, and one that will leave you craving more information on the seedier side of the art world. This is definitely a must-read for those that enjoy literary thrillers.
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LibraryThing member amandacb
I was so excited to find myself enmeshed in this rather thrilled art heist/art forging story. The particulars of art forging are unknown to me so the glimpses into the processes were fascinating, as were the glimpses into the art heist underworld. The movement of the story is spectacular and I
HOWEVER...
While Claire shined as a character early on, she quickly got on my nerves. Claire is a talented artist but an extremely weak woman. She questioned everything she did and let men walk all over her. I felt the ending of the story wrapped up too quickly, perfectly, and nicely. The last 20 or so pages were an enormous disappointment. I think if I skipped those pages, I would have loved the novel. Instead, I merely liked it.
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looked forward to reading this book every day.HOWEVER...
While Claire shined as a character early on, she quickly got on my nerves. Claire is a talented artist but an extremely weak woman. She questioned everything she did and let men walk all over her. I felt the ending of the story wrapped up too quickly, perfectly, and nicely. The last 20 or so pages were an enormous disappointment. I think if I skipped those pages, I would have loved the novel. Instead, I merely liked it.
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LibraryThing member DevourerOfBooks
Claire dreams of being a renowned artist, but for now the entirety of her art sales come from her Reproductions.com commissions, where she paints copies of famous paintings for the moderately wealthy – OTC (over the couch) paintings, as she calls them. It wasn’t always this way. Three years
When Aiden Markel, Isaac’s old art dealer, comes calling, Claire lets herself hope that her talent has finally won out, that the small, insular art world is beginning to forget about Isaac. Instead, it turns out that Markel is coming to see Claire partly because of her ostracism, and partly for the skills she has developed as a copyist for Reproductions.com. In short, Markel is asking her to forge a Degas. Not just any Degas, either, but one of the painting that went missing during the Gardner Heist some twenty years earlier.
The Art Forger is just fabulous. FABULOUS I TELL YOU. Although most of the action happens in the present when Claire is involved in this forgery – after being convinced by Markel that if she forges the painting they will be able to return the original to the Isabelle Stuart Gardner museum – we also see flashbacks to the time of Claire’s falling out with the art world, as well as letters from Isabelle Stuart Gardner to her niece as she went about Europe collecting artwork. All three sections are pieced together beautifully so that they inform and enhance the story as a whole.
Claire’s mental state is particularly well developed. Although committing forgery is clearly Not A Good Idea, it is easy to understand how she allows herself to be talked into it. In fact, the motivations of all of the characters are very well drawn. Even Isabelle’s letters give sufficient information to explain her actions, while still managing to read like authentic letters.
In addition to the great writing and plotting, many readers are going to absolutely adore Shapiro’s depth of detail on painting in general and aging paintings as is done by forgers in particular. Even if you are not an art fan, this level of detail gives The Art Forger a level of reality that helps the reader live securely in Claire’s head, making the story all the more engaging.
Wonderful story wonderfully told. Very highly recommended.
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ago, Claire was a promising young art student. The problem came when she had an affair with her mentor, Isaac. After what happened with Isaac and his art, Claire was shunned despite her talent, which is why she is now stuck with Reproductions.com.When Aiden Markel, Isaac’s old art dealer, comes calling, Claire lets herself hope that her talent has finally won out, that the small, insular art world is beginning to forget about Isaac. Instead, it turns out that Markel is coming to see Claire partly because of her ostracism, and partly for the skills she has developed as a copyist for Reproductions.com. In short, Markel is asking her to forge a Degas. Not just any Degas, either, but one of the painting that went missing during the Gardner Heist some twenty years earlier.
The Art Forger is just fabulous. FABULOUS I TELL YOU. Although most of the action happens in the present when Claire is involved in this forgery – after being convinced by Markel that if she forges the painting they will be able to return the original to the Isabelle Stuart Gardner museum – we also see flashbacks to the time of Claire’s falling out with the art world, as well as letters from Isabelle Stuart Gardner to her niece as she went about Europe collecting artwork. All three sections are pieced together beautifully so that they inform and enhance the story as a whole.
Claire’s mental state is particularly well developed. Although committing forgery is clearly Not A Good Idea, it is easy to understand how she allows herself to be talked into it. In fact, the motivations of all of the characters are very well drawn. Even Isabelle’s letters give sufficient information to explain her actions, while still managing to read like authentic letters.
In addition to the great writing and plotting, many readers are going to absolutely adore Shapiro’s depth of detail on painting in general and aging paintings as is done by forgers in particular. Even if you are not an art fan, this level of detail gives The Art Forger a level of reality that helps the reader live securely in Claire’s head, making the story all the more engaging.
Wonderful story wonderfully told. Very highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member bibliolisa
This first novel combined several elements that made it a compelling read for this reader. The setting--the art world of Boston--is one that I am familiar with. I lived in Boston for almost a decade, and worked for a Newbury Street art gallery and a major art museum, and took classes at the Museum
Shapiro's novel is tightly plotted and relies on extremely accurate and sensuous details of the craft and art of painting. This was by far my favorite aspect of the novel. I thought Shapiro was dead on in her depiction of the practices of a studio artist, and she seems to have gotten her research on the details of forgery pitch perfect. The atmosphere of the studio, the mind of the artist, the politics and behind the scenes drama of the gallery scene are all extremely well-depicted. Somwhat less convincing were the letters between Isabella Stewart Gardner and her fictional niece--but I was willing to suspend belief because I was enjoying the story, and because the studio details drew me in.
The character of Clarie was a bit problematical for me. He backstory (important to the plot) was believable, and I liked the subplot about her relationship with her older, more well-known professor, whose betrayal is part of her motivation for the forgery. But the decision to undertake a forgery does make Claire less appealing as a character, although her decision has mitigating circumstances--she's a less sympathetic character for it. As I found myself being pulled along by a suspenseful plot, I found myself liking Claire a bit more, and by the end of the novel I was urgently rooting for her. But the moral problem of a character who is willing to commit a crime may be off-putting for some readers. I found that the novel started slow for me, but ended up being worth it in the end. I would recommend this novel to anyone fascinated by the art world, and by the topic of forgeries and art theft.
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School. The plot involved the infamous Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum art heist (still unsolved) of 1990. Shapiro blends fact and fiction by inventing a Degas painting and a fictional relationship between Degas and Gardner (there is no evidence the two ever met). The plot of this novel revolves around a painter, Claire Roth, who is hired to create a forgery of the stolen Degas.Shapiro's novel is tightly plotted and relies on extremely accurate and sensuous details of the craft and art of painting. This was by far my favorite aspect of the novel. I thought Shapiro was dead on in her depiction of the practices of a studio artist, and she seems to have gotten her research on the details of forgery pitch perfect. The atmosphere of the studio, the mind of the artist, the politics and behind the scenes drama of the gallery scene are all extremely well-depicted. Somwhat less convincing were the letters between Isabella Stewart Gardner and her fictional niece--but I was willing to suspend belief because I was enjoying the story, and because the studio details drew me in.
The character of Clarie was a bit problematical for me. He backstory (important to the plot) was believable, and I liked the subplot about her relationship with her older, more well-known professor, whose betrayal is part of her motivation for the forgery. But the decision to undertake a forgery does make Claire less appealing as a character, although her decision has mitigating circumstances--she's a less sympathetic character for it. As I found myself being pulled along by a suspenseful plot, I found myself liking Claire a bit more, and by the end of the novel I was urgently rooting for her. But the moral problem of a character who is willing to commit a crime may be off-putting for some readers. I found that the novel started slow for me, but ended up being worth it in the end. I would recommend this novel to anyone fascinated by the art world, and by the topic of forgeries and art theft.
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LibraryThing member bookmagic
I absolutely love books that also teach me something while entertaining me. This is one of those books. Claire Roth has been blackballed by the art community after she takes credit for a painting that her art professor/lover won an award for, a respected painter. She isn't believed and is then
Then Aidan Markel, owner of a prominent art gallery offers her her own show if she copies a Degas that was stolen in an art heist many years ago and never recovered. Claire doesn't ask how he came to have it as he promises he is going to sell the forgery and return the original to the museum it was stolen from.
Once Claire has the Degas to copy, she does some research and does not believe it to be the original. But things spin out of control and she must find the original to save herself and her new burgeoning career.
I enjoyed this immensely as it gave an interesting look into the art world along with some art history lessons and art forgery lessons, too. All of this with an interesting plot made for some great reading. Highly recommended.
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shunned. While still doing her own art work that she can't sell, she scrapes a living out of legally copying masterpieces.Then Aidan Markel, owner of a prominent art gallery offers her her own show if she copies a Degas that was stolen in an art heist many years ago and never recovered. Claire doesn't ask how he came to have it as he promises he is going to sell the forgery and return the original to the museum it was stolen from.
Once Claire has the Degas to copy, she does some research and does not believe it to be the original. But things spin out of control and she must find the original to save herself and her new burgeoning career.
I enjoyed this immensely as it gave an interesting look into the art world along with some art history lessons and art forgery lessons, too. All of this with an interesting plot made for some great reading. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member PamelaBarrett
I got totally engrossed in this novel. I didn’t want to put it down, and couldn’t wait to pick it up again to discover what new twist would happen. The Art Forger is a fictionalized story, based on an unsolved Boston Museum art theft; the author creates a scenario where a struggling talented
Through careful research the author brings to life the underground world of art forgery, unscrupulous art dealers, and art collectors. Since I’m married to an artist, I read some passages to him to verify if it was realistically based, and he agreed, sharing more insights into what it takes to make an authentic painting using methods from the past. Bravo for this fascinating mystery set in Boston that immerses the reader into the highs and lows of artists and collectors. Nice flow between past and present, with interesting characters that are true to life. Would make an incredible movie—think TV’s White Collar. I read this ARC through Amazon Vine and give it a solid 5 stars.
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artist comes into possession of one of the 13 missing art works, and she is asked to create a forgery of the painting. A rich powerful Gallery owner promises her a career making show of her own if she’ll say yes, and she is tempted to silence her conscience to achieve her dreams of success. Through careful research the author brings to life the underground world of art forgery, unscrupulous art dealers, and art collectors. Since I’m married to an artist, I read some passages to him to verify if it was realistically based, and he agreed, sharing more insights into what it takes to make an authentic painting using methods from the past. Bravo for this fascinating mystery set in Boston that immerses the reader into the highs and lows of artists and collectors. Nice flow between past and present, with interesting characters that are true to life. Would make an incredible movie—think TV’s White Collar. I read this ARC through Amazon Vine and give it a solid 5 stars.
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LibraryThing member dandado86
Loosely based on an actual 1990 art heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum in Boston, The Art Forger is a well researched first novel by Shapiro. Detailed information on art history, creation and forgery is woven into the plot, which centers around struggling artist Claire who makes her
The Art Forger has been called a "modern art thriller" and as such should appeal to a large audience, although I think it would be less successful with those who have no interest or background knowledge of the art world.
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living painting reproductions. Impressed with her ability, gallery owner Aiden Markel offers her a show of her own at his gallery if she paints a copy of a stolen Degas for him. Aside from this deal with the devil, we are also given flashbacks to Claire's relationship with her instructor Isaac and how she came to be blacklisted in the art community and fictional letters between Isabella Gardner and her niece about Degas. This seems a little overwhelming at times, but comes together very smoothly in the end.The Art Forger has been called a "modern art thriller" and as such should appeal to a large audience, although I think it would be less successful with those who have no interest or background knowledge of the art world.
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Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9781616203184
Original publication date
2012