Fiction Novels Inspired by Artists
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These days, there seems to be a lot of wonderful books inspired by the real lives of artists. I find myself drawn to these historical novels because the details surrounding the storyline are well researched and surprisingly based in truth. What could be more interesting than the life of a starving artist or the scandalous acquisition of a lost and forgotten artwork? I often find myself referring to some of my other art books to learn more about a particular painting or artist as the book has peaked my interest to learn more. The imaginative perspectives of these fictionalized accounts bring the artist to life like no other textbook could possibly do. Special thanks to Randy and the staff at Cameron Village for helping me find these treasures- most are in the library's collection.  Don´t forget to check out my favorite art movies as well.

• Cassatt inspired books
• Da Vinci inspired books
• Gentileschi  inspired books
• Goya inspired books
• Kahlo inspired books
• La Tour inspired books
• Michelangelo inspired books
• Rodin inspired books
• Titian inspired books
• Van Gogh inspired books
• Vermeer inspired books

Da Vinci (1452-1519) inspired books
See Leonardo da Vinci's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• Da Vinci´s Code (2003) by Daniel Brown
• A Comedy of Murders (1994) by George Herman
• The Tears of the Madonna (1996) by George Herman

Titian (1477-1576) inspired books
See Tiziano Vecellio Titian's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• The Day Laid on the Alter (2000) by Adria Bernardi
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!

Michelangelo (1475-1564) inspired books
See Michelangelo Buonarroti's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• The Agony and the Ecstasy (1961) by Irving Stone
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!

Gentileschi (1592-1653) inspired books
See Artemisia Gentileschi's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• The Passion of Artemisia (2002) by Susan Vreeland
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!
• Artemisia (2000) by Alexandra Lapierre
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!

La Tour (1593-1652) inspired books
See Georges de la Tour's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• La Tour Dreams of the Wolf Girl (2002) by David Huddle
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!

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Rembrandt (1606-1669) inspired books
See Rembrandt van Rijn's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• Rembrandt's Whore (2002) by Sylvie Matton
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!

Vermeer (1632-1675) inspired books:
See Johannes Vermeer's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!
• Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!

Goya (1746-1828) inspired books
See Francisco Goya's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• This is the Hour (1951) by Lion Feuchtwanger

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Rodin (1840-1917) inspired books
See Auguste Rodin's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• Naked Came I (1963) by David Weiss

Cassatt (1844-1926) inspired books
See Mary Cassatt's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper (2001) by Harriet Scott Chessman
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!

Van Gogh (1853-1890) inspired books
See Vincent van Gogh's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• Johanna (1995)  by Claire Cooperstein
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!

Kahlo (1907-1954) inspired books
See Frida Kahlo's artwork at http://artcyclopedia.com

• Frida (2001) by Barbara Mujica
  At Cameron Village Library in downtown Raleigh!

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Have you read a fictional novel about an artist that's not on my list?  Please share with me at mharrell@wcpss.net and I'll post it to this page and even give you credit!