19 Intriguing Novels About Art and Artists

The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal

This historical fiction novel about art is part mystery, part love story, and part thriller. MacNeal’s debut takes place in Victorian England during the time of The Great Exhibition.

Iris dreams of learning to paint like a true artist, while she tolls away with her twin sister in a doll shop. Silas is a curiosity collector that can’t seem to get Iris out of his head after their chance meeting, and Albie is the rag-a-muffin street urchin I wanted to take home.

Their stories weave together in a slow burn until the blood-pumping, heart-racing conclusion. This made our list of the best books of 2019.

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

I’ve been big on Gilded Age books recently, so I knew I would love reading about the Frick family and their gorgeous mansion built in that time frame. The bonus was that this dual-timeline story also featured a missing pink diamond!

The story of Helen Frick and her assistant at a formative time in Helen’s life that coincides with Magnolia Diamond’s disappearance is riveting. As is the later timeline, told 50 years later, when a model and a Frick Museum intern are locked in the mansion overnight and on the hunt for the missing diamond.

I couldn’t put this story down. It might be my first Fiona Davis, but it won’t be my last!

The Botticelli Secret by Marina Fiorato

This gritty story is about a prostitute during the Italian Renaissance who needs to flee for her life after learning a secret while sitting for famed artist Botticelli. She turns to a novice, Brother Guido, for help after her friends start dying.

It’s sort of like a Da Vinci code set in the 15th century and it all revolves around Botticelli’s Primavera painting. It’s a fun, quick read and one of the first books set in Italy that I ever read. It was a must for novels about art.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

We cannot think of a more iconic pick for novels about art than this iconic work by Oscar Wilde. In the book, Dorian lives a hedonistic lifestyle and believes in beauty above all else. He stays the same externally while his portrait ages and portrays the ugliness within.

This novel about art caused a huge uproar when it was published. We cannot even imagine!

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

You may recognize Maquire from his most famous work, Wicked. This fairy tale retelling reimagines the story of Cinderella.

In this version, set in 1700s Holland, Cinderella’s father is a painter. Told by one of the stepsisters, this story is a much different take on the classic tale and is filled with references to art. We were so excited to include this in our novels about art.

Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr

Buckle up for a stunning story in Lisa Barr’s newest book, Woman on Fire. Jules, an ambitious investigative journalist, is working on a story about a piece of art that was stolen by the Nazis during WWII. 

But she’s not the only one looking to track down Woman on Fire. Margaux, a gallerist and art thief, also wants to get her hands on the painting.

As we learn the origins of the painting and the many hands it switched to over the years, we also discover the dark underbelly of the art world.

I was ENTHRALLED with this novel about art. I’ll be putting this pick from mystery books on every must-read list we do this year. It was thrilling and informative. Buy it now, and thank me later.

Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner

I had the pleasure of reading Jamie Brenner’s newest book a bit early and it didn’t disappoint. With a cover like that, it’s clearly the perfect summer read! Set in Sag Harbour, a young girl is gifted with the entire estate of a famous artist.

Her mother and the artist’s former partner are left bewildered and a battle for the estate ensues. Bea is the crotchety older art dealer and form partner who is fighting like hell for what she thinks is hers. She was a joy to hate in this novel about art!

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

September 2017 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I have mixed feelings about this family drama book about motherhood.  There was nothing I didn’t like.  It is a great story and written really well.  I think because of all the hype I was expecting to be completely blown away. 

Nobody in Shaker Heights was prepared when Mia, a single mother and artist, rents a house from the Richardsons. When friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, the town becomes divided.

Ng has depth to her characters and looks at highly emotional issues. I ended up really liking the book once I got past the beginning and knew we needed to include it in novels about artists.

The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer

This historical fiction novel is about real-life photographer and model,  Lee Miller. I had never heard about Miller prior to this book, though I was familiar with her lover – Man Ray.

She made some life choices that I can’t say I agree with, but I found her to be a strong, feminist woman ahead of her time. This book from our list of best romance novels of all time will be on my best reads of the year list, but be warned – there are some erotic scenes in the novel. As books for book clubs go, this is one of the best and it’s one of our favorite novels about artists. It’s also on our list of the best books of 2019.

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi 

May 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

I really enjoyed this historical fiction set in 1950s India. I know little about the artistry and meaning behind henna prior to reading and I learned a great deal about henna, herbal remedies, and Indian culture while reading this book.⁣ Henna is an incredible art form and we were so excited to include this fantastic novel about art on our list.

Because of the descriptive writing, I could picture everything so vividly. The plot, and the class structure in India in particular, would make an excellent book club discussion.⁣

Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore

This particular romance is set in 1920s England and is the third in Ms. Dunmore’s women’s suffragette series. Hattie Greenfield, artist extraordinaire, is forced into marriage with Lucian Blackstone, a self-made man (V frowned upon by nobles at the time.) We love that she is an artist for our novels about art. But, we couldn’t stop thinking that it is also perfect for books Like Outlander!

While the romance itself is swoon-worthy, it’s the depth of non-romantic topics that make it a joy to read. I learned so much about the coal industry and the perils to coal communities in the process.

Still Life by Louise Penny (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1)

The first in the series of Chief Inspector Gamache. I fell in LOVE with the Inspector, the town of Three Pines, and its residents. Louise Penny CAN WRITE.

The mystery was great (and I didn’t solve it) but what got me the most was Penny’s writing style and reflections on the human psyche. This first Louise Penny book has the detective searching a piece of art for clues.

This is one of the best detective books and detective series I have ever read. You will fall in love with Three Pines and the people who live there. The wonderful community in this series is the best of what feel-good novels should be. Be sure to check out Louise Penny Books in Order: Complete Guide to Inspector Gamache

Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li

Billed as Ocean’s 11 meets The Farewell, I found myself most closely comparing it to The Italian Job and I LOVED IT.

5 college students is hired by a Beijing art company to steal back relics stolen from the Old Summer Palace by colonists and now on display in famous museums the world over.

Each person brings their own talents (getaway driver, hacker, art historian, etc.) and their own dreams of what the life-changing sum they’ve been offered can mean for themselves and their immigrant families.

While it might sound frivolous, it’s actually a novel about art with a more emotional vein running beneath. One of longing to fit in, the struggle of straddling two worlds, and the quest for individual and collective identity as Chinese-Americans.

Still Lives by Maria Hummel

August 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

While I had high hopes, this book just didn’t live up to my expectations.  A famous artist goes missing on the eve of her new exhibit.  Is she really missing or is it a publicity stunt?  Her new art features paintings of the most famous female murder victims from L.A.  Has art come to life? 

I found this novel about art did not live up to my expectations. I wanted to love and I ended up liking it. Still, Reese’s pick’s always offer something to think about with this unique book.

The Queens of Animation by Nathalia Holt

This nonfiction old hollywood book sheds light on the talent of Disney’s pioneering female animators and the struggles they faced in a male-dominated field. I loved learning about these incredible women – like Mary Blair who created the art for the “It’s a Small World” ride. ⁣

I was appalled by the disparate treatment female in the animation field received, but I was also impressed by their gumption. The author does a tremendous job of showing their struggles but also how these women shaped animation as we know it.

I was heartened to see just how far they have come. The book ends with Frozen and you could clearly see the studio’s growth.⁣ This is an amazing, non-fiction book about art.

Vincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman

While I don’t usually love non-fiction, this is one of the first books in the genre that really got me hooked. The relationship between Vincent Van Gogh and his brother, Theo, was complicated.

Their love for one another was inspiring, though they did fight often as brothers are wont to do. Most of all, I loved the description of the art and new it was a must for novels about art.