Provenance - by Robert Moeller (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Acquired in avarice, hidden in lies. . .

What happens when a Leonardo da Vinci canvas, lost for centuries, mysteriously appears in a New York City gallery and becomes the center of controversy among New York's elite?

With echoes of "The Da Vinci Code" and "I Bought Andy Warhol", "Provenance" is an art history suspense novel that follows Sam Driscoll, an art expert and advisor to the massively wealthy and powerful, as he navigates a world where huge egos clash and everyone is looking for the next big deal. His journey takes the reader behind the scenes of auction houses, elegant parties, and on a quest to the Italian countryside, doggedly pursuing the truth through the murky story of how this painting surfaced in New York City---and whether it really is a Leonardo at all.

Greed, power, deceit, and crime nearly eclipse the beauty and magnitude of this rare painting. Ultimately, Sam must decide whether to stay in the game of buying and selling art for millions of dollars, or go against his clients' wishes and fight for the integrity of this work of art, its original owners, and its fate to the end---wherever that may take him.

Review Quotes

Bob Moeller's novel crackles with authority. He knows the ins, outs, glory, and dark underbelly of the art business. When he says this is how the dealers do it, you can be sure that this is how the dealers do it. And he is able to describe art at an emotional level most of us only dream of reaching. He also tells one heck of a story. I highly recommend Provenance! ---Tim Sandlin, novelist and screenwriter