Book Review: The Portraitist, by Susanne Dunlap

The Portraitist: A Novel of Adelaide Labille-Guiard by Susanne Dunlap
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Based on the life of portrait artist, Adelaide Labille-Guiard, this novel takes you inside the art world of Paris, leading up to, during and shortly after the French Revolution. It was not an easy time to be a female artist. The art world was tightly regulated, and the old boys weren’t keen on female competitors. Adelaide had the talent and the ambition but ran into some big hurdles, starting with an abusive husband.

I found myself swept up in the novel, and its unusual perspective on the events surrounding the French Revolution. I don’t know if Susanne Dunlap has a background in fine art, but if not, she certainly did her homework, and it shows. There is enough detail that you can easily imagine yourself inside an artist’s studio at the Louvre, or in a horse-drawn carriage exchanging contraband in the middle of the night.

This is the second historical novel I’ve read lately in which there were strong, beautifully depicted relationships between female characters who were not lovers but close friends, with one being a cross between a mother-figure, employer, best-friend/quasi-sister. (The other was The Good Wife of Bath, which I also highly recommend.)

If you are looking to immerse yourself in a different era and a darn good story, I suggest you pick up this book.


View all my reviews