Do you love: Shipwrecks, world-class art, treasure hunting, history, palace intrigue, power struggles and suspense? The Tsarina’s Lost Treasure has all of this, and more. The premise is simple: Catherine the Great bought some of the finest art in the world; while it was being shipped from the Netherlands to Russia, the ship went down off the coast of Finland in a Baltic storm. Hundreds of years later, a crafty treasure hunter is out to find the ship and its loot.
Lost Treasure is at least four books in one. Through the authors’ painstaking research we learn about the Golden Age of Dutch painting, in the salon of Rembrandt himself. Turns out that Rembrandt was not the most sought-after painter of his time; that title went to his student, Gerrit Dou. The book goes into fascinating detail about the painting culture of the late 1600s: the style that captivated Europe’s elite, the prices paid by the wealthiest kings and collectors, the nuances that made the town of Leiden the cultural capitol of the world!
Meanwhile, Catherine the Great is determined to reform Russia into a progressive and modern country, in the model of an enlightened France. Being a patron of the arts was tantamount to this recognition. She thus assembled a vast collection of the very best and built the Hermitage to hold her ever-expanding collection of paintings, sculpture, and books. Dutch paintings, and those of Gerrit Dou in particular, played a large part.
A cargo of such treasure – including Dou’s premiere masterwork — is loaded onto the Vrouw Marie by Catherine’s personal rep. But it sinks in the cold Baltic waters, and has remained there — lost — for hundreds of years. But, were the paintings packed tight? The icy waters do preserve oily paints! Where’s the shipwreck? And who’d jurisdiction does it fall under? There are so many wrecks in the stormy Baltic!
It’s a great story, with many threads of history and modern ingenuity woven together. In the end, the suspense is gripping. You’ll learn about painting and collecting in its highest form, palace intrigue and clashing world powers, and why Rembrandt was not considered the finest of his time. And much more. Treat yourself. This is a fine read.
Michael Daswick is the author of five novels. His series about a 13 year-old mastermind Chef makes a wonderful read and fine gift for kids of any age who love food and cooking in the kitchen.
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His novel CHIP ROCK has received universal Five Star reviews for being inspirational, funny and original. The stories which led to the novel won both of Columbia’s heralded literary awards. Don’t miss CHIP ROCK!
