The Lady with an Ostrich-Feather Fan
"For those who love art, history, and solving mysteries, this novel takes you on a true art detective voyage, blurring the line between truth and fiction. Historically accurate, the reader can enjoy 'meeting' Rembrandt, trusting the author. Sensitive and captivating - a great homage to the Master."
Zhenya Gershman, Art Historian and Rembrandt Scholar
Co-Founder & President of project AWE, former Project Specialist at The J. Paul Getty Museum
Where and how does a story start? Stories are always there, but they have to be discovered. They have to be revealed. Read more of the Preface from the author, Frederick R. Andresen
“Home, we know, is not a place; it is where we belong to each other.”
This is a historical novel about the power of love wielded by a descendent line of courageous women to protect the famous Yusupov Rembrandts from the threats of European revolutions, obsessive men, and American law—until the paintings find security in an American museum—a quest through the ages for identity and fulfillment—the eternal search for home. [Read More]
"This riveting story of the captivating Yusupov Rembrandts carries the reader through tumultuous events from 1660 Amsterdam, to France, Russia, and England, to 1942 Washington. The Lady evokes the enigmatic attraction of Rembrandt, and the values, both reverential and material, that have accrued to the artist."
Amy Golahny, Logan Richmond Professor of Art History, Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
President, Historians of Netherlandish Art; author, Rembrandt’s Reading
About the Author
Frederick Andresen bases his historical writing on his extensive travel and professional life working and living abroad. His last nearly twenty years were focused on business and culture in Russia, with six years in residence. Much time was spent with the art, literature, music, and drama [Read More]
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Frederick Andresen's novel The Lady with an Ostrich Feather Fan is a revelation about how intricately historic events, human lives and pure chance are intertwined in time and connected through art. A fascinating story of the thorny journey of two Rembrandt’s paintings and their owners through almost three centuries of European and Russian history, and the feat of salvation of this priceless art from the turmoil of the Russian revolution by the ingenious prince Felix Yusupov. We admire Rembrandt for the elevating magic of his creations, and thank the author for the ennobling experience of reading this book.
Tatiana Solobaeva, Secretary of the Baltic Sea Region University Network;
International Relations, St. Petersburg State University of Economics, Russia
Andresen has painted a full and fascinating picture of Rembrandt, 17th C Amsterdam; 18th C Russian and European history, all the way to 1942 America. His depictions of Prince Yusupov and the Rembrandt paintings, of Petersburg and Moscow and Paris, of Napoleon and Rasputin and the Russian Revolution overflow with rich sensory and historical detail. This beautiful tale is difficult to put down as we follow the paintings on their dangerous journey over almost three centuries, through a war-troubled world, to a place they can call home.
Jeri Chase Ferris, Award-winning author of twelve biographies and historical fiction, the 2013 Schulz Literary Award and a gold medal for “best nonfiction book of 2013”
For 282 years, two paintings, the products of Rembrandt’s creative transformation, lived more exciting lives than many of us will know. This is the riveting tale of the Yusupov Rembrandts challenging journey from 17th century Holland, through the wars and revolutions of Europe and Russia, to a final home in America and the fame they so richly deserve.
Franz McLaren, author of the Clarion of Destiny series
Andresen's book covers a dazzling sweep of history that jumps centuries, countries and conflicts, and serves to remind us that every work of art that survives the test of time has its own unique story.
Sara Joyce Robinson, Professor in Writing, National University