A painting wrapped in brown paper appears on the steps of the National Gallery. The artist? Timothy Ponden-Hall, thought to be dead for the last 50 years.

An explorer and adventurer to far-flung places during the early Victorian period, Ponden-Hall was known for his lifelong quest to find the elixir of life. Could he have found it and kept it a secret, and similarly immortalised all of the subjects painted in commemoration of their lives somehow?

Revered but washed up art historian Solomon Oak thinks not, but his career-defining obsession with Ponden-Hall’s paintings pushes him back into the limelight when the new painting arrives. Can he unravel the mystery with the help of his sheltered, frustrated daughter and an artist’s model called Grace?

I liked the social conscious of the story - Oak’s daughter Alice has led a sheltered life, kept safe from life’s dangers due to her older sister dying horribly young. But she pushes against her restrictions and meets a character determined to do good across Oxford’s working classes. Through this storyline we meet more realistic depictions of Oxford life - those struggling to make ends meet, immigrants facing discrimination and those who can’t afford healthcare - all of whom the mysterious “Lou” supports in what ways she can. How do these disparate threads of the story come together?

The furore surrounding Ponden-Hall’s newest painting and the mania surrounding the elixir of life was well done and totally believable for the Victorian era. I enjoyed the exploration of the character’s relationships, especially between Oak and his daughter. The patriarch of the family trying to do what’s best for his daughter without checking what she’d actually want for her life seems perfectly apt for the period. I absolutely guessed part of the conclusion but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the reveal.

The Portrait Artist by Dani Heywood-Lonsdale is out now! Thanks to @bloomsburypublishing for an advanced copy for review.

I will post on instagram @charlottereadshistory tomorrow.

In this novel set in 1890, we follow art historian Solomon Oak as he works to uncover the secrets behind portraits painted by the mysterious Timothy Ponden-Hall. His story is interwoven with that of his daughter Alice, who wants to move beyond her sheltered life and starts to help coachwoman Lou with secret evening deliveries.

The story unfolds slowly, but by the second half I was captivated and didn't want to put the book down. I enjoyed the portrayal of the characters and the deeper exploration of some of the hidden aspects of Victorian society. It is worth pointing out that, although this is historical fiction, some of the characters have quite modern thoughts and reactions and the book very much applies contemporary perspectives to the past. The ending didn't entirely satisfy me, but I did appreciate the way the author hinted at a potential answer without spelling it out, leaving it open to interpretation.

A recommended read for fans of The Portrait of Dorian Gray and historical fiction that delves into societal issues.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for an early copy of this novel.

Three stars probably suggests that I didn't enjoy this book, but that would be a wrong assumption; in reality, it would get an extra half star but that isn't possible.
I liked the premise and most of the characters, but it moved too slowly for me, and if it had been an audiobook, I may have played it faster.
The story revolves around an explorer/artist in the early 1830s who left a painting on the steps of an art gallery once in a while to commemorate the life of someone recently passed. Professor Oak has devoted his life to learning more about the man, his life, and his art, and now his daughter, Alice, is pulled into it too, taking a different avenue to do so. The novel mainly follows her story and coming of age in Oxford in the late 1880s.
By the last third of the book, I had sort of guessed where it was going, and whilst I enjoyed it, I would have preferred it had it either been a little shorter or fleshed out more, perhaps with more about some of the other characters lives.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for this eCopy to review

"The Portrait Artist" by Dani Heywood-Lonsdale is a mesmerizing historical novel set in the Victorian era.

The story begins in 1890, when a mysterious painting wrapped in brown paper appears on the steps of the National Gallery. The painting causes quite a sensation as it's believed to be the work of Timothy Ponden-Hall, a renowned artist thought to have been dead for the last 50 years. Intrigued by this discovery, the National Gallery enlists the expertise of Solomon Oak, a renowned art historian, and his daughter Alice, to investigate the origins and authenticity of the painting.

As Solomon and Alice delve into the mystery, they uncover a series of secrets that challenge not only their own family but also the rigid structures of Victorian society. The plot weaves through themes of art, identity, and social norms, keeping the reader engaged with its intricate and well-paced narrative.

One of the standout features of the novel is the vivid depiction of the Victorian era, with its societal expectations and artistic advancements. Heywood-Lonsdale's attention to detail brings the period to life, making you feel as though you've stepped back in time. The atmospheric setting of the National Gallery and the contrasting world of the Ponden-Hall estate add depth and richness to the story.

The characters are well-crafted, with Solomon and Alice serving as compelling protagonists. Solomon's expertise and dedication to art, combined with Alice's intelligence and curiosity, make for a dynamic investigative duo. Their personal growth and evolving relationship add emotional depth to the narrative, making you care about their journey and the secrets they uncover.

The mystery surrounding the painting and Timothy Ponden-Hall's legacy is skilfully handled, with twists and revelations that keep you guessing until the end. The exploration of the artistic process and the significance of portraiture adds an extra layer of intrigue, making the novel a delightful read for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Overall, "The Portrait Artist" is a beautifully written and engaging novel that will transport you to the Victorian era and keep you captivated with its blend of mystery, art, and family secrets. Dani Heywood-Lonsdale has crafted a compelling tale that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

3.5 stars
This seemed to be two stories that are linked. One was the mystery of where was the artist, Ponden-Hall and the other was about Alice Oak, who wanted her father, Solomon, to see her as a young woman and not as a child. As part of Alice’s bid to lead her own life she met up with an unusual person called Lou. There were a few interesting characters, including Grace, an artist’s model but who had academic aspirations. It started out well but then the pace slowed until towards the end when everything was revealed. There are a number of issues such as how grief affects people, women working and racism. This was an interesting story that was well researched, particularly when describing the methods of painting and how paint was produced. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it, All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It took me a little while to get into this book and warm to the characters, but once I did I enjoyed the story with the interesting Victorian ideas well described and explained as part of the plot. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of painting, and I always like books with food of the period included! The mystery was well concluded and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thank you to netgalley and Bloomsbury for an advance copy of this book.

The plot revolves around Timothy Ponden-Hall, an enigmatic explorer-painter who has been missing for more than 50 years but leaves paintings that are regarded as extraordinary masterpieces on the doorsteps of the Royal Academy of Arts and the National Gallery. Within the first few chapters of this exquisitely written book, I was hooked. The three major characters are particularly endearing. I loved the way the mystery was solved.

Dani Heywood-Lonsdale’s debut novel, The Portrait Artist, is an art mystery set in Victorian England with hints of the supernatural reminiscent of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.

When a portrait of a Kunekune pig is left on the steps of the National Gallery in London one morning in 1890, it sends the art world into turmoil. Both the signature and the technique point to the artist being the mysterious Timothy Ponden-Hall, thought to have been dead for the last fifty years. Ponden-Hall, an explorer and painter, caused a sensation earlier in his career, when rumours spread that he had discovered the elixir of life during a sea voyage and was using it to bestow immortality on those who sat for his portraits. Does this new portrait mean the artist is still alive – and why has he started to paint again after so many decades of silence?

Art historian and Ponden-Hall expert Solomon Oak is brought in to investigate, but as he tries to interpret the new painting and its meaning, he makes some discoveries that cause him to question everything he thought he knew about the reclusive artist. Meanwhile Solomon’s daughter Alice has been befriended by Lou, the coachwoman, who gives her a job helping to deliver parcels. But why do their deliveries always take place under cover of darkness – and could Alice’s new job and new friend lead her to solve the mystery of Ponden-Hall before her father gets there first?

I enjoyed The Portrait Artist. My only problem with the book came towards the end, when the truth about Ponden-Hall was revealed. It wasn’t exactly a surprise – I had already at least partly guessed it – but it required a huge suspension of disbelief which was just too difficult for me to accept. Still, the story up to that point had been fascinating to follow. Solomon and Alice Oak are both characters I liked and I thought the complex relationship between them was handled well, with Alice feeling that she can never quite live up to the memory of her late sister Emma, who had been the closest to their father. Solomon, for his part, has to come to terms with Alice growing into a woman and not wanting to follow the path through life he has mapped out for her. Another interesting character is Grace, an artists’ model from a humble background who longs to be part of the world of academia and sees a possible route to that by involving herself in the Ponden-Hall mystery.

Heywood-Lonsdale explores a lot of different issues throughout the novel, including the idea of the dead being immortalised through art, both literally and figuratively; how adding to our knowledge of the artist and the sitter can change the way we view and appreciate a painting; and the difficulties of being of mixed race heritage in Victorian society. The supernatural element involving the question of whether youth can be preserved in a painting is mainly there to explain the level of mystique that has formed around Timothy Ponden-Hall and we can choose how much we want to believe.

Apart from my problems with the ending, I think this is an impressive first novel and I hope Dani Heywood-Lonsdale will write more.

Book review number two with the flu: ‘The Portrait Artist’ by Dani Heywood-Lonsdale. [PR copy]

A masterful portrait of a pig is left outside the National Gallery in late Victorian London. When it’s confirmed as being recently painted by Ponden-Hall, an explorer-artist most had presumed long dead, it reignites gossip about Faustian pacts and the painter’s meddling with a rumoured elixir of life.

The story follows Ponden-Hall expert Solomon Oak, and artists’ model Grace, who is desperate to study art history, as they try to unravel the mystery of the the pig, Ponden-Hall’s other mysterious paintings, and the painter behind them. While Oak is engrossed in his research, his daughter Alice, desperate for freedom and friendship, takes a job helping a mysterious coach woman named Lou make nocturnal deliveries around Oxford. They’re all in for some surprises…

I liked the novel’s exploration of how we remember and commemorate the dead in art and life, how what we think we know of the artist and subject affects our interpretation of a painting, of constraints imposed by gender, race, and class prejudice, and of popular gossip taking precedence over real human stories. Grace, the Oaks, and Lou were also very likeable, engaging people to spend time on a page with.

The description of Ponden-Hall’s painting process was really interesting, and sensory details were delectable, mouthwatering food, plenty of biscuits (always a good thing), and great use of smell that brought scenes to life.

I did stumble a little with some of the dialogue, which, to me, felt too archaic at times and at others too modern, but these things are very subjective, I can be annoyingly picky, and I’m not always right.

One to add to the list if you like an intriguing mystery, plenty of description of historical setting, are willing to suspend disbelief and pedantry, and if you enjoy modern-feeling characters who explore contemporary ideas in the past. Thematically, goes will with thinking about painting and immortality in Wilde’s Dorian Gray, and race and confinement in Jane Eyre.

Thanks to @netgalley and @bloomsburypublishing for the advanced copy.

An intriguing story about who is noticed and remembered and who ignored and forgotten. Talented women and people of mixed heritage are kept in the margins by a colonial Victorian society based on a strict social hierarchy. Author Dani Heywood Lonsdale writes with insight about love and the complex nature of identity and uses a satisfyingly rich and nuanced vocabulary. I am a painter and was impressed by her understanding and knowledge when describing materials, processes and ideas. For me, the ending was too slow paced and I had guessed the plot twist but it is a debut novel with engaging characters and I look forward to reading more from this intelligent, thoughtful author.

I really enjoyed this - great sense of setting, a captivating story and an interesting central mystery.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review

This may be my favourite read of the year so far! High praise I know, but the topic really captured me. The story centres around a mysterious explorer-painter, Timothy Ponden-Hall, who has not been seen in over 50 years but leaves paintings - considered to be exceptional masterpieces - on the doorsteps of The National Gallery or the Royal Academy of Arts. There are rumours that Ponden-Hall discovered the elixir of life on a sea voyage and now uses it to capture the souls of his sitters, in some kind of deal with the devil, which made him a household name. For 50 years all has been silent, until a new painting is found on the doorstep of the gallery once more, shocking everyone back into a craze of speculation. Art Historian Solomon Oak is called in to authenticate it while the press swirl and clamour, intent on finding the mystery painter once and for all. It’s well written, and to me the mystery of the painter was just an exceptionally intriguing one, and didn’t disappoint as we got deeper into the mystery or the reveal. Watch out for this one early next year!

My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher, Bloomsbury, for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up

This is a difficult book for me to review because it hit some good notes but not enough for me to really fall in love, and I wasn’t totally satisfied with the ending. The question of “what happened to famous painter Timothy Ponden-Hall” is the central thread of the book, and while there were some great twists and mysteries there, I also felt let down by certain elements that leaned towards the supernatural. There was some interesting stuff about mixed-race identity that I thought was well handled, and the art history buts in general were cool (as someone who knows less than nothing about art history). It’s an ensemble cast, but the relationships 18 year old Alice has with her father and her new friend were a highlight of the book, however they also weren’t tied up in a wholly satisfying way—Alice and her father spend the book not properly communicating about what they want, and I wish more resolution happened on page, where they actually dealt with the holes in their relationship.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This book was a slow starter and I very nearly gave up but perseverance paid off and I was rewarded with an interesting and enjoyable book. The story developed with a number of different themes including attitudes towards women and prejudices, not my usual sort of book but I would recommend it. My thanks to Net Galley and the author for an ARC

An interesting and thought provoking read! Initially I found the book to be quite slow but the last half kept me captivated throughout with a great conclusion. 4/5

I just could not engage with this book. I'm sure it will suit some people, but I thought as an artist it would be right up my street. Sadly it wasn't. I couldn't find it in myself to care about what happened or the characters. I can't say why, however much I persevered I remained disinterested.

What a beautiful story. I was absolutely hooked from the second page and devoured this tale in a few sittings.

It has everything we might expect from a Victorian-era set tale, with their slightly strange obsession with phrenology, celebrity, mutton-chops, and bizarre leaps of faith about life, death and the afterlife.

Our main characters are Oaks, a professor in hiding following his oldest daughter's tragic death, his surviving daughter, Alice, and also Grace, a portrait sitter at the National Gallery. Oaks is somewhat pompous to begin with, very Victorian in his attitude, whereas Alice and Grace are certainly not. They're a slightly unconventional trio, and this is as much a story of their development as individuals as it is about uncovering Ponden-Hall's identity. And what a tangled web this proves to be. It is beautifully evocative and the ending, I feel, really does stand up to the rest of the tale.

I just really loved it, and I had to stop myself from turning to the back pages to discover the resolution from about 50% through the book. I'm glad I didn't give in and allowed the story to unfold as it was intended.

I don't read a huge number of more 'literary' fiction historical stories (I love a Golden Age cosy crime), but it had a similar 'feel' to Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver. Enjoy.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy. I will share my review on the blog when the book is released.

Art and deception. Set in the late Victorian era, the subject of this book is a mysterious painting and its provenance. It had been left outside the doors of the National Gallery in London. Professor Solomon Oak is called to give his opinion as to whether the was by the artist Ponden-Hall, a reclusive man thought to be long deceased. There are some interesting characters, such as artists’ model Grace and feisty Lou. As an art historian myself, I was interested to see how the artwork’s provenance was decided, but found the conclusion rather long-winded.

Reminiscent of other contemporary historical fiction authors, like Andrew Taylor and the husband-and-wife team writing as Ambrose Parry, Dani Heywood-Lonsdale is able to skilfully evoke the Victorian age through the way she uses language, locations, ambience and characters in the manner of a writer of the period, such as Anthony Trollope. Her novel, 'The Portrait Artist', is very clearly set in the era (the last decade of the 1800s, to be exact), yet given the modern perspective of looking back on it from the twenty-first century.

At the crux of the novel lie controversial topics, like race, discrimination and societal prejudice. Viewed from a twenty-first century viewpoint and through the lens of 'wokeness', Heywood-Lonsdale's handling of them is crude and lacks any degree of finesse or sensitivity. Some of the language used may have been acceptable in the seventeenth century, but in a contemporary context it is downright offensive. It seems a shame to have an otherwise competent novel spoiled in this way. Arguably, it should carry a trigger warning. I could see that some readers might find it an upsetting read. Furthermore, it could be said that the elements of mystery are not particularly well dealt with since I, for one, guessed who the portrait painter would turn out to be as soon as the character named, Lou, made her appearance. I'm sure other readers will be equally astute. Despite these shortcomings I am grateful for the opportunity to read and review his novel.

Many thanks to the publishers and to Netgalley for the ARC.