The Paintress

<p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Dual timeline around the life of a forgotten artist</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The joys and traumas of love ambition and motherhood</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span></p><p><strong>Interwoven stories based on the life of a forgotten artist.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Anna grew up hearing stories from her grandmother of an ancestor artist's adventures in St. Petersburg. Now in the Hermitage Museum adult Anna stands in front of Christina Robertson's gorgeous life-sized portraits of the Romanovs and she hopes the legend is true. Her research into the painter becomes a quest to honour her granny.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In 1823 Christina Robertson realises her artistic ambitions exhibiting portraits at the National Gallery. Her happiness is secured in marrying her teenage sweetheart James and having a baby girl. But Christina is harbouring a secret from him. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Anna buries herself in researching Christina Robertson a distraction from the stress of not conceiving which is causing growing problems in her marriage.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Christina must cope with the burden of being the breadwinner through yearly pregnancies and many bereavements. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Both Anna and Christina flee to St Petersburg after marriage crises. Can they find happiness there?</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(38 40 42 1)>'Two intriguing stories woven together bring to life the achievements of real-life 19th century superstar artist Christina Robertson doyenne of the Russian royal court and her many times great granddaughter determined that her story won't be forgotten. A thoroughly enjoyable read.'</span></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(38 40 42 1)>Sara Sheridan author of <em>The Fair Botanists </em>and<em> The Secrets of Blythswood Square</em></strong></p>