'Beautifully written.' SAUL BELLOW



In this tour de force, Sarah Walden—the Mother's restorer—pieces together the intriguing relationship between America's first masterpiece, the sitter and her famous son in a gripping and elegant tale. How did the painting become the first harbinger of Modern Art, beating a path for Andy Warhol and Mark Rothko?





'Enlightening.' DON DELILLO





'Brilliant.' MAIL ON SUNDAY





'Sparkling.' DAILY TELEGRAPH





'Extraordinary.' THE TIMES





'Much that had remained hidden.' OBSERVER





'Entrancing.' LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS





'Engrossing.' FINANCIAL TIMES





'Splendid.' SPECTATOR





DAILY MAIL Critic's Choice





EVENING STANDARD Critic's Choice





'Uncommon.' CHOICE REVIEW





'Exceptionally engaging' APOLLO MAGAZINE