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Reclusive Artist Hides Secrets in French Villa
11 Jun
Summary
- A journalist visits a reclusive painter in his French farmhouse.
- The artist is blind in one eye and known for his temper.
- The story unfolds over a summer in 1920s Provence.
In the summer of 1920, journalist Joseph Adelaide seeks out the renowned but reclusive painter Edouard Tartuffe at his farmhouse in Provence. Tartuffe, once a celebrated "Master of Light" and student of Cézanne, retreated from the art world years ago. Now living with his niece Ettie, he is blind in one eye and possesses a volatile temper.
Upon meeting Adelaide, Tartuffe refuses an interview, instead offering lodging on the condition that Adelaide model for a new portrait. The novel, narrated by Tanya Reynolds, creates a rich sensory experience of Provence, from the scent of turpentine to the decay of still-life subjects left in the heat.
Adelaide suspects that Ettie, who has lived with her uncle since childhood, holds the key to understanding the mysterious painter and his past seclusion. The story builds atmospheric tension around the secrets harbored by the household, promising a compelling exploration of art, mystery, and hidden truths.
