Masterworks: Historical Short Fiction Inspired by Works of Art

by Stephanie Churchill, Ronan Beckman, Virginia Crow

Strolling through an art gallery gives art appreciators a glimpse at the heart of creativity artists from across time and distance have poured onto canvas, into clay, through wood, metal, and stone. Art inspires us and helps us connect with emotions and ideas. But have you ever wondered what inspired the artists themselves? Perhaps it was a loved one, a moment of suffering or despair, a celebration, or a victory. Have you ever wondered what stories these works tell?We asked the authors of the Historical Writers Forum these questions, to imagine what stories might be revealed in the history of famous works of art. Through their short stories, you will be transported back in time to the magnificence of works of art from ancient Mesopotamia to nineteenth century America, exploring the people, events, and emotions that may have inspired incredible works of art.This anthology from Historical Writers Forum includes the following short A Našû for IluStephanie ChurchillProof of the Old FaithVirginia CrowLa Belle Dame sans MerciKathleen GulerBlood on White MountainEleanor Swift-HookThe Lacemaker’s SonMelissa SpeedThe PortraitLars D.H. HedborThe AmbassadressRonan BeckmanA Good and Proper LunacyTempest WrightPortrait of a LadyJoanne MajorThe Watcher on the WallGareth WilliamsLegacySamantha Wilcoxson

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Ronan Beckman]

Has a work of art ever inspired you to write? In the Masterworks anthology, 11 authors take you on a journey across time and place - stimulated by a particular artwork that motivated their writing. The resulting short stories span the eras; from ancient Sumerian kingdoms and Viking runes to modern day gallery in London. For myself as a reader, I enjoyed being introduced to time periods that I would not usually choose to read about. I thought it was particularly clever how several of the stories seemed to segue into one another with some linking element, such as Prince Rupert's appearance in Eleanor Swift-Hook's 'Blood on White Mountain' leading to being a source of mystery in the following story, Melissa Speed's 'The Lacemaker's Son'. Each story has been expertly written by authors who know their time period and subject matter well. Their passion for writing historical fiction shines through. Having actually written one of the stories, I'm going to refrain from giving a star rating (but I will confess that putting together 'The Ambassadress' may have been the most I have ever enjoyed writing). Suffice it to say that I found the work of my fellow authors quite enthralling, immersing me in a myriad of situations in the past, from frozen caverns to ornate palaces, intense battles and the intimate personal lives of the characters. I am very humbled and in awe to be in their company. A special mention goes out to Melissa Speed, whose story about the overriding need to know one's true origins particularly touched and moved me as an adoptee. As a reader, I would say that this anthology is a wonderful introduction to the body of work produced by these history-loving authors. I am sure that many readers will come away with a new favourite author whose works they will want to explore in more depth. If you enjoy immersing yourself in the past, I highly recommend this collection.

[Samantha]

This anthology includes my short story featuring James A Hamilton, inspired by the statue of Alexander Hamilton that was lost in New York's Great Fire of 1835. Therefore, I won't rate it, but I do hope you'll give it a read!

[Lexie Conyngham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly erudite collection of longer short stories (if you see what I mean) inspired by works of art, all with a historical setting, some of them quite unusual in my reading of historical fiction – for example, 1620 Bohemia, one of my favourites from which I learned a lot. The quality is mostly high throughout. I enjoyed the story of George Romney and Emma Hart, though the conversation was rather anachronistic and Sir William Hamilton is not the same as Lord Hamilton. Another one had some French that had become rather lost in translation, perhaps. Gareth Williams’ evocative piece written through the person of the Chandos portait of Shakespeare was absolutely terrific and thought-provoking. On the whole a very interesting and informative collection.

[Anne M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This engaging anthology has a unifying focus of great works of art, each of the eleven stories spins a tale of love, family, futures and fortunes won or lost. Each story as unique as the writers, with deep characters and time periods spanning ancient Ur to 1880s…
I understand that the expense and mayhap the cost of copyright did not allow them to have pictures of the works of art in the book, but they are easily found online, and for us history and art lovers, that is another opportunity of research and delight.
Recommended in ebook and paperback.

[Virginia Crow]

This is a compilation of eleven fabulously varied stories which all have one thing in common: they are all inspired by historic works of art. Some are set contemporaneously to their artwork's creation, some look back, and others explore the connection and legacy of the artwork for future generations. This gives the book a range of 5,000 years of history for the reader to enjoy.

As a product, the book is easy to handle, written in a reader-friendly font and very attractive.
📚

[Matt Kelland · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I know that's unfair when it comes to a book of short stories, but after four stories, I hadn't found a single one I liked. A quick skim through suggested that they were all likely to be of a similar style. They're not bad - just not to my taste.