The National Picture
NB: This is a secondhand book in very good condition. See our FAQs for more information. Please note that the jacket image is indicative only. A description of our secondhand books is not always available. Please contact us if you have a question about this title.
Author: Steven Scheding
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 0
From the author of "A Small Unsigned Painting" (Vintage) comes another exciting art thriller. "The National Picture" is the story of amateur art historian, collector and sleuth Stephen Scheding's obsession with the existence and location of what can only be described as the "Holy Grail" of Australian art: the mythical painting by Benjamin Duterreau called "The National Picture". Supposedly painted in Hobart in the 1840s, the painting depicts the "conciliation" of the Tasmanian Aborigines by the missionary George Augustus Robinson. The author's efforts to locate Duterreau's masterpiece results in a wild goose chase in Australia and overseas. A fascinating art whodunnit (or rather, a "wherediditgoit"!), Stephen Scheding presents a timely analysis of the nature of black/white conciliation in the 19th century, drawing a parallel with 21st century Australia and its present day struggles with Reconciliation. ".as gripping as any candidate for the Silver Dagger Award, Scheding lays out his clues.a page-turner of an art book" - observes "Sydney Morning Herald". "This is the author as Coleridge's Ancient Mariner" - says "Australian". "A sleuth story that captures the frustrations and joys of research while holding its reader in a state of suspense worthy of the best whodunnit" - observes "Australian Review of Books".
Author: Steven Scheding
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 0
From the author of "A Small Unsigned Painting" (Vintage) comes another exciting art thriller. "The National Picture" is the story of amateur art historian, collector and sleuth Stephen Scheding's obsession with the existence and location of what can only be described as the "Holy Grail" of Australian art: the mythical painting by Benjamin Duterreau called "The National Picture". Supposedly painted in Hobart in the 1840s, the painting depicts the "conciliation" of the Tasmanian Aborigines by the missionary George Augustus Robinson. The author's efforts to locate Duterreau's masterpiece results in a wild goose chase in Australia and overseas. A fascinating art whodunnit (or rather, a "wherediditgoit"!), Stephen Scheding presents a timely analysis of the nature of black/white conciliation in the 19th century, drawing a parallel with 21st century Australia and its present day struggles with Reconciliation. ".as gripping as any candidate for the Silver Dagger Award, Scheding lays out his clues.a page-turner of an art book" - observes "Sydney Morning Herald". "This is the author as Coleridge's Ancient Mariner" - says "Australian". "A sleuth story that captures the frustrations and joys of research while holding its reader in a state of suspense worthy of the best whodunnit" - observes "Australian Review of Books".
Description
NB: This is a secondhand book in very good condition. See our FAQs for more information. Please note that the jacket image is indicative only. A description of our secondhand books is not always available. Please contact us if you have a question about this title.
Author: Steven Scheding
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 0
From the author of "A Small Unsigned Painting" (Vintage) comes another exciting art thriller. "The National Picture" is the story of amateur art historian, collector and sleuth Stephen Scheding's obsession with the existence and location of what can only be described as the "Holy Grail" of Australian art: the mythical painting by Benjamin Duterreau called "The National Picture". Supposedly painted in Hobart in the 1840s, the painting depicts the "conciliation" of the Tasmanian Aborigines by the missionary George Augustus Robinson. The author's efforts to locate Duterreau's masterpiece results in a wild goose chase in Australia and overseas. A fascinating art whodunnit (or rather, a "wherediditgoit"!), Stephen Scheding presents a timely analysis of the nature of black/white conciliation in the 19th century, drawing a parallel with 21st century Australia and its present day struggles with Reconciliation. ".as gripping as any candidate for the Silver Dagger Award, Scheding lays out his clues.a page-turner of an art book" - observes "Sydney Morning Herald". "This is the author as Coleridge's Ancient Mariner" - says "Australian". "A sleuth story that captures the frustrations and joys of research while holding its reader in a state of suspense worthy of the best whodunnit" - observes "Australian Review of Books".
Author: Steven Scheding
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 0
From the author of "A Small Unsigned Painting" (Vintage) comes another exciting art thriller. "The National Picture" is the story of amateur art historian, collector and sleuth Stephen Scheding's obsession with the existence and location of what can only be described as the "Holy Grail" of Australian art: the mythical painting by Benjamin Duterreau called "The National Picture". Supposedly painted in Hobart in the 1840s, the painting depicts the "conciliation" of the Tasmanian Aborigines by the missionary George Augustus Robinson. The author's efforts to locate Duterreau's masterpiece results in a wild goose chase in Australia and overseas. A fascinating art whodunnit (or rather, a "wherediditgoit"!), Stephen Scheding presents a timely analysis of the nature of black/white conciliation in the 19th century, drawing a parallel with 21st century Australia and its present day struggles with Reconciliation. ".as gripping as any candidate for the Silver Dagger Award, Scheding lays out his clues.a page-turner of an art book" - observes "Sydney Morning Herald". "This is the author as Coleridge's Ancient Mariner" - says "Australian". "A sleuth story that captures the frustrations and joys of research while holding its reader in a state of suspense worthy of the best whodunnit" - observes "Australian Review of Books".
The National Picture