The first time I visited Venice as a wide-eyed teenager, I knew I was supposed to buy Murano glass, but I had no idea why. All I knew was that I was whisked to the famous “glass island” on an overcrowded, stinky boat. I waited behind two dozen American and Japanese tourists to pay an exorbitant price for a little glass fish—what a bewildering experience!
Still, it was the artistic traditions of the world that lured me back and inspired me to study the great artists of the past. Living in Europe and Latin America, I realized that in many places, centuries-old craft traditions are still living traditions. So began my quest to discover craftspeople passing on a special kind of knowledge to the next generation. I never tire of the stories and the people behind the world’s most enduring artistic traditions—everything from Murano glass to Limoges porcelain, balsamic vinegar, Chinese silk and cowboy boots.
The story of The Gondola Maker, my first work of fiction, germinated inside my head while I was busy researching another book called Made in Italy. The contemporary Italian artisans I interviewed, one after another, told me how important it was to them to pass on the torch of tradition to the next generation. I began to wonder what would happen if the successor were not able or willing to take on that duty. The characters of the gondola maker and his heirs began to take shape. The story intrigued me so much that I felt compelled to write about it.
Working as an art historian involves three things: teaching, researching, and writing. Doing art historical research is a passion for me, and I also love being in the classroom and sharing the history of art with my students. Writing for scholarly journals takes years of training and discipline. I have great respect for the craftsmanship of academic writing and for those who practice it. However, personally, after writing within the conventions of academic scholarship for some years, I began to feel like I was going to burst!
One day I found myself yawning in the audience of a scholarly conference, and I realized that there was something fundamentally wrong. After all, the history of art is the most fascinating topic in the world! Why do we scholars insist on making it dull and inaccessible? I realized then that, not only did I see an opportunity, I felt called to share the excitement of art history with a broader audience through my writing.
What draws you to art historical fiction? Drop a comment below. I love to hear your feedback!
Dropping into a particular time/place. It’s magic!
Benjamin–I agree! 🙂
Thank you, Francesca, for sharing this story! –Laura
I love period novels because it is an opportunity for me to learn the history, and read how the characters in the novel relate to the times and each other. It affords me a learning experience which stays with me and which I enjoy passing along to others. You have such a talent and are able to impart this to your readers. I love both of your novels!!!
Thank you so much, Pat!
Kind of off the track but, I’m reading “Italian Days” now and there are so many references to artist and their work and I can hardly wait to GOOGLE each one.
Thank you, Jerry!
Art historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I love reading books that are period pieces in the geographies I’ve not visited yet. When the writing is really good, I can see the characters and how they are dressed, see what they see, smell what they smell, and dine as they do. It’s like stepping into their time on Earth.
Historical fiction brings a time period a nd the people who live then alive in a way history books do not. It makes me care about the people, and in the case of your two books, it makes me care for the craftsmanship the people tackle. I crochet an counted-cross stitch, which are both time consuming, and I hate giving them as gifts to people who do not appreciate the effort. Historical novels help me appreciate the work, dedication and pride that has gone into each item made.
I am so often appalled when I hear politicians or journalists make comments that show how little they know their history. Of course, the “history” we have is what the historians wrote, usually the winners of a conflict. Historical fiction brings the past back to life, and quite often presents things in a light the academic misses. The old saw of standing on the shoulders of… can be felt in historical novels. As Benjamin wrote, it’s magic to be transported back in time and feel like one is truly there, feeling, seeing, hearing, tasting…understanding the human motives behind the history.
I love reading of people and the times they lived in. It’s interesting to understand how society, beliefs and traditions shaped every aspect of life.
Thanks for your comment, Elaine. I agree! 🙂 –Laura