The Road to “Deadly Provenance”
In 2004, I had an idea for a new mystery. I was always fascinated by the Holocaust and the horrors of WWII. As a museum professional, I happened upon a book called “The Lost Museum” by Hector Feliciano. It’s the story about the systematic plundering of Jewish-owned artwork by the Nazis. I was hooked. I read many books to follow, some of which you may be familiar with like “The Rape of Europa” by Lynn Nicholas.
Since my other two books are mysteries that take place in the past around real events, but are solved by modern technology, I pondered my new storyline. What about a particular piece of art that was stolen from its Jewish owner, but to this day, has never been seen again? Add to that a photograph of the said painting that comes to light 70 years later. Can the painting be authenticated by a photograph? Now I was doubly hooked.
How do I even begin the research on this book? I needed a missing painting, a backdrop for the historic story, and some state-of-the-art digital photography thrown into the mix. I started with the backdrop: France during the German occupation. The following photos will give you a glimpse into the trip that inspired my book.
Guess who? Guess where?Tour d’Eiffel, the iconic symbol of the City of Light and our first stop in Paris.
Here I am, facing the Jeu de Paume Museum with Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower at my back.
Musee du Jeu de Paume, the repository for Nazi confiscated art and home of the room of martyrs. Located at north end of the Tuileries Gardens, Paris.
Palais des Papes in Avignon, Provence, France, a papal residence during the 14th century. My fictional character looks out her window at this view.
Vincent van Gogh self-portrait, oil on canvas, 65 x 54 cm, 1889, Musee d’Orsay, Paris. I’d always adored him but one look at this painting up close and I knew he was the artist I would select for my book.
“Still Life: Vase With Oleanders,” the van Gogh painting that disappeared in 1944 and is still missing.