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The Vanishing Point
London, 1991: Alex Johns, trainee art intern at the Courtauld, believes a hidden secret lies within Diego Velázquez's Las Meninas—one of the most written about paintings of all time.
Her own mother died in mysterious circumstances while trying to uncover its secrets and Alex is troubled by memories of her own encounter as a child with the girl in the painting—the Infanta Margarita—who continues to haunt her. Alex must take up her mother's work and find evidence to uncover the truths within the canvas.
A treacherous trail through the art world, the church and 17th century Spanish Court via mysterious drawings, letters and cryptic notes has Alex trying to piece together what happened in King Philip's court...
But powerful players will do anything to stop these truths coming to light.
Madrid, 1656: The Infanta Margarita senses that those around her believe the royal household is cursed.
She wonders why her father, the King, is a pale shadow of himself and why the Queen is distressed; what threatens the royal offspring? She struggles to fight for her own destiny as the forces around her seek to marry her off and send her from the home she loves.
In the tradition of Tracy Chevalier's Girl With a Pearl Earring and A.S. Byatt's Possession, Andrea Hotere's The Vanishing Point slowly reveals the secrets in the painting that have been closely guarded for centuries.
But will Alex live to share them with the art world or is she, too, cursed?
Her own mother died in mysterious circumstances while trying to uncover its secrets and Alex is troubled by memories of her own encounter as a child with the girl in the painting—the Infanta Margarita—who continues to haunt her. Alex must take up her mother's work and find evidence to uncover the truths within the canvas.
A treacherous trail through the art world, the church and 17th century Spanish Court via mysterious drawings, letters and cryptic notes has Alex trying to piece together what happened in King Philip's court...
But powerful players will do anything to stop these truths coming to light.
Madrid, 1656: The Infanta Margarita senses that those around her believe the royal household is cursed.
She wonders why her father, the King, is a pale shadow of himself and why the Queen is distressed; what threatens the royal offspring? She struggles to fight for her own destiny as the forces around her seek to marry her off and send her from the home she loves.
In the tradition of Tracy Chevalier's Girl With a Pearl Earring and A.S. Byatt's Possession, Andrea Hotere's The Vanishing Point slowly reveals the secrets in the painting that have been closely guarded for centuries.
But will Alex live to share them with the art world or is she, too, cursed?
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First published October 4, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 22, 2023
The Vanishing Point is entertaining reading when one is in need of a temporary distraction from The Real World.
This debut novel from New Zealand author Andrea Hotere appeals to my love of art in fiction, and it features a breathtaking painting that's among my favourites in the Prado in Madrid. Las Meninas ('the ladies-in-waiting') was painted in 1656 by Diego Velásquez, who was court painter at the Royal Alcázar of Madrid during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain. Las Meninas is endlessly fascinating for all sorts of reasons...
Even the title of the painting intrigues, because the five-year-old Infanta Margarita Theresa (1651-1673) was a lady-in-waiting too, waiting to be traded off in a politically strategic marriage. She — in another example of the inbreeding that cursed royal families all over Europe and Britain — had been the subject of negotiations since the mid 1650s and was subsequently betrothed in 1663 to her maternal uncle and paternal cousin, the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. She married him in 1666 and thus by marriage at the age of 15 became Holy Roman Empress, German Queen, Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, only to die aged 21 during her seventh pregnancy.
Las Meninas, (1656) by Diego Velásquez (Wikipedia)
Not only that, the painting was once known as 'The Family of Philip IV' which makes no sense until the figures are all properly identified so that those reflected in the mirror to the left of the Infanta are revealed as Philip IV and his wife Queen Mariana. Thus the tragedy of this family is exposed by the title: the Infanta was their only surviving child at this time. Theirs is a family of just three, at a time when royal successions were crucial.
To read the rest of my review (and see the relevant images) please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2023/10/22/t...
This debut novel from New Zealand author Andrea Hotere appeals to my love of art in fiction, and it features a breathtaking painting that's among my favourites in the Prado in Madrid. Las Meninas ('the ladies-in-waiting') was painted in 1656 by Diego Velásquez, who was court painter at the Royal Alcázar of Madrid during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain. Las Meninas is endlessly fascinating for all sorts of reasons...
Even the title of the painting intrigues, because the five-year-old Infanta Margarita Theresa (1651-1673) was a lady-in-waiting too, waiting to be traded off in a politically strategic marriage. She — in another example of the inbreeding that cursed royal families all over Europe and Britain — had been the subject of negotiations since the mid 1650s and was subsequently betrothed in 1663 to her maternal uncle and paternal cousin, the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. She married him in 1666 and thus by marriage at the age of 15 became Holy Roman Empress, German Queen, Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, only to die aged 21 during her seventh pregnancy.
Las Meninas, (1656) by Diego Velásquez (Wikipedia)Not only that, the painting was once known as 'The Family of Philip IV' which makes no sense until the figures are all properly identified so that those reflected in the mirror to the left of the Infanta are revealed as Philip IV and his wife Queen Mariana. Thus the tragedy of this family is exposed by the title: the Infanta was their only surviving child at this time. Theirs is a family of just three, at a time when royal successions were crucial.
To read the rest of my review (and see the relevant images) please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2023/10/22/t...
October 22, 2023
Breaking curses, burying history or covering up the unknown: what would be your motivation to uncover the truth?
A vanishing point in art is a point of convergence, sometimes where the sum of allthe connecting pieces tell the story. There was something in Diego Velazquez's Las Meninas that needed to be revealed and explored by Andrea Hotere. And we set out on thr journey to find what connects this painting to two women in 1656 and 1991.
Alex Johns is in London and is still grieving The death of her mother and is looking for answers that seem to be cryptically connected to this painting. In the earlier centuries, the Infanta Margarita is in Madrid, and starts to sense that something sinister is surrounding her family - her father and mother are King and Queen, and they are not immune to the rumours, curses and whispers increasing over time. She is also trying remain with her family and not be married off as a child brode.
I loved the connection through time and through this painting to both of these women in their families. There was so much strength in these women and in the lives of other women that surrounded them. The fact that there was so much power authority and danger connected to this painting was a wonderful way to bring this story to life. Art can have meaning in the smallest details. It is all in all these smaller moments where this story came to life for both Alex and the Infanta Margarita, as well as through the exploration of Velazquez's appearance in his own art, aligning himself to royalty and nobility.
Thank you @ultimopress for the #gifted copy.
A vanishing point in art is a point of convergence, sometimes where the sum of allthe connecting pieces tell the story. There was something in Diego Velazquez's Las Meninas that needed to be revealed and explored by Andrea Hotere. And we set out on thr journey to find what connects this painting to two women in 1656 and 1991.
Alex Johns is in London and is still grieving The death of her mother and is looking for answers that seem to be cryptically connected to this painting. In the earlier centuries, the Infanta Margarita is in Madrid, and starts to sense that something sinister is surrounding her family - her father and mother are King and Queen, and they are not immune to the rumours, curses and whispers increasing over time. She is also trying remain with her family and not be married off as a child brode.
I loved the connection through time and through this painting to both of these women in their families. There was so much strength in these women and in the lives of other women that surrounded them. The fact that there was so much power authority and danger connected to this painting was a wonderful way to bring this story to life. Art can have meaning in the smallest details. It is all in all these smaller moments where this story came to life for both Alex and the Infanta Margarita, as well as through the exploration of Velazquez's appearance in his own art, aligning himself to royalty and nobility.
Thank you @ultimopress for the #gifted copy.
October 4, 2023
Just loved this beautiful, thought provoking book by a wonderful new writer.
If one can think of a simile, of sorts, think of “The Last Painting of Sara de Vos”. The Vanishing Point is better!! I was equally fascinated and intrigued by the possibilities put forward that in the end I wanted to believe it was all true!! That’s always the sign of a great book!
Thanks to the wonderful Ultimo Books for the advance reading copy.
If one can think of a simile, of sorts, think of “The Last Painting of Sara de Vos”. The Vanishing Point is better!! I was equally fascinated and intrigued by the possibilities put forward that in the end I wanted to believe it was all true!! That’s always the sign of a great book!
Thanks to the wonderful Ultimo Books for the advance reading copy.
June 24, 2024
A nice little read to escape into and set at a good pace to keep my interest. It’s a quirky mix of historical and art fiction blended in with a bit of mystery and magic. I found myself googling what was fact and what was fiction which is always fun in a book. It will change the way you look at epic works of art and is a solid 3.5 starts for this authors debut novel.
February 11, 2025
Loved this, it tapped into some of my favorite themes, historical fiction and art. The modern day thread was a bit juvenile and the love story was predictable, but the dark edge saved it.
November 11, 2024
Pretty dull and uneventful. The storyline was a bit weird and I felt like there wasn’t a significant twist or point to the book. I was hopeful the ending would reveal something interesting but it was a real let down. Not for me.
March 16, 2025
Thin plot and poorly written. I´m suprised I made it to the end.
January 11, 2024
Very interesting premise and quite an ambitious storyline - based on the hidden messages in the Velázquez painting ‘Las Meninas’ from the seventeenth century Spanish court. I found it fascinating to learn about Velázquez and his place in the Spanish court of the day. It prompts you look at the painting and also those of Picasso based on it, to think about what it means and on a broader note raises questions about the role of art and the artist which is a great aspect of reading this novel.
The novel has two differing time frames and POV - Alex a young art historian in 1991 London focused on unravelling her dead mother’s research regarding the painting from decades earlier and from the POV of the Princess ‘Infanta’ Margarita in the Spanish court in 1656 who is the focal subject of the painting.
The young Margarita proceeds to have a rather tragic life due to the arranged marriage with a ‘cousin’, Leopold of Austria. The issues of the time including importance of male royal progeny, the girls being strategically bartered in marriage from very young ages to ensure political alliances, along with the issue of inbreeding and its impact all adds to the compelling historical context.
It is an interesting mix with a range of elements - mystery with a chase aspect, mystical evil forces, ghosts and even Alex time travelling in trance dream states. Unfortunately, for me some of these elements didn’t quite gel and left me a little confused. It was this that made it a 3 star and not 4 star for me. Nonetheless, a great debut novel which for me is a 3.5 rating.
The novel has two differing time frames and POV - Alex a young art historian in 1991 London focused on unravelling her dead mother’s research regarding the painting from decades earlier and from the POV of the Princess ‘Infanta’ Margarita in the Spanish court in 1656 who is the focal subject of the painting.
The young Margarita proceeds to have a rather tragic life due to the arranged marriage with a ‘cousin’, Leopold of Austria. The issues of the time including importance of male royal progeny, the girls being strategically bartered in marriage from very young ages to ensure political alliances, along with the issue of inbreeding and its impact all adds to the compelling historical context.
It is an interesting mix with a range of elements - mystery with a chase aspect, mystical evil forces, ghosts and even Alex time travelling in trance dream states. Unfortunately, for me some of these elements didn’t quite gel and left me a little confused. It was this that made it a 3 star and not 4 star for me. Nonetheless, a great debut novel which for me is a 3.5 rating.
August 13, 2024
A novel inspired by a famous painting, Las Meninas, by Velazquez. Andrea Hotere uses a partially true, partially imagined history of the painting to forge a modern-day thriller involving art historians, told partially in the recent past and partially in the 1600s, when the painting was recently completed. Our heroine, Alex, has a kind of spiritual connection with the central figure in the painting (the Infanta Margarita) - think jedi mind tricks with a long-dead princess.
It’s a bit of a slow burn but enjoyable learning about the world of the Spanish royal family, and following a very very long trail of breadcrumbs to discover the mystery behind the painting. It all builds to a suitably tense conclusion, even if some suspension of disbelief is required.
This book will definitely make you look at Las Meninas in a new light. I just wish there had been a colour print of the picture in the novel. You really need to be looking at it to appreciate the work that has gone in both to the book and the painting.
It’s a bit of a slow burn but enjoyable learning about the world of the Spanish royal family, and following a very very long trail of breadcrumbs to discover the mystery behind the painting. It all builds to a suitably tense conclusion, even if some suspension of disbelief is required.
This book will definitely make you look at Las Meninas in a new light. I just wish there had been a colour print of the picture in the novel. You really need to be looking at it to appreciate the work that has gone in both to the book and the painting.
December 31, 2023
The dual timeline starts with Alex John’s in 1991, an art intern at the Courtauld in London who is intrigued by one of the most mysterious paintings of all time, Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas painted in 1656 and featuring the young daughter of the Spanish king Phillip IV, the Infanta Margarita. Alex’s mother died under mysterious circumstances trying to decipher the mystery many years ago and Alex is determined to complete her mother’s work. But there are some people who would rather the centuries-old secrets hidden in the painting stay hidden.
The whole basis of this book - Velázquez’s painting, the Infanta Margarita and the 17th century Spanish royal court - are all fact and the result of extensive research by the author. But she has woven an intriguing tale around these facts which had me turning repeatedly to Google to see what was real and what was fictional - always a good sign in a historical fiction.
There’s also an unexpected mystical element to this book, which I don’t often go in for, but it was so well done, I felt it added to the story rather than taking over it.
A solid four stars for this final book of the year.
The whole basis of this book - Velázquez’s painting, the Infanta Margarita and the 17th century Spanish royal court - are all fact and the result of extensive research by the author. But she has woven an intriguing tale around these facts which had me turning repeatedly to Google to see what was real and what was fictional - always a good sign in a historical fiction.
There’s also an unexpected mystical element to this book, which I don’t often go in for, but it was so well done, I felt it added to the story rather than taking over it.
A solid four stars for this final book of the year.
February 24, 2024
What a great book. Told in two timelines this had me riveted from the start. Based around a Velázquez painting ‘Las Meninas’ an art historian, Alex, strives to find out the hidden story of the painting, she is convinced that there is more to the story than has come to light previously. This is also personal, Alex's mother was killed in a car accident when she was young. It has never sat right with her, so shadowy dangers lurk as Alex continues her mother's research into the painting.
There is also the story of the royal family portrayed in the painting. Their lives hold a key to the mystery of the painting. The Infanta Margarita is concerned that they are in danger. As her story and Alex's stories converge, even though they are centuries apart, you are drawn into the mystery of this regal family and their legacy which has passed on through the generations.
This was great!
There is also the story of the royal family portrayed in the painting. Their lives hold a key to the mystery of the painting. The Infanta Margarita is concerned that they are in danger. As her story and Alex's stories converge, even though they are centuries apart, you are drawn into the mystery of this regal family and their legacy which has passed on through the generations.
This was great!
May 5, 2024
I’m giving five stars - maybe not quite with five but I loved the subject combining art history of genius royal painter Velazquez and 17th century Spanish history, wonderful and impressive research and a plot which moved with pace even though some fantastical elements. Young art intern Alex johns goes on a dangerous journey, in the path of her mum, who died pursuing clues that Velazquez’s’ famous painting La meninas hid clues to explain why the Spanish royal family were cursed - goes back and forth between Alex’s search in the 1990s to the 17th century royal court.
October 24, 2024
I enjoyed the dual stories which ran through the book. The first thread passed on a lot of information about the painter Velasquez, the main subject of the painting the Infanta Margarita, and the Spanish Court during this time. The second thread brought into the specialised art auction world of today, with a pinch of supernatural to add a little difference to the whole story. It moved along quickly and did not get bogged down in unnecessary details. If you like art history and a bit of detective work, this maybe should be in your reading pile.
November 25, 2023
A very interesting historical novel about Las Meninas, a painting by Velazquez from the seventeenth century. There are two strands to the story - one at the court of Philip IV and the other in London in the 1990s. I wasn't sure about the time travel/supernatural aspect at first, but it turned out to be a clever technique to link the two storylines. The author had obviously done a great deal of research and provided food for thought about the painting and Spanish history in general.
January 6, 2024
Lovely book, made me want to know more about Diego Velazquez, the Infanta Margarita and the painting Las Meninas. I had a picture of the painting on my phone so I could keep looking at what Andrea was referring to. Didn’t wrap up how I would have liked it to though… felt it didn’t really explain enough…
April 13, 2024
A highly enjoyable historical thriller set partially in 1660s Madrid and partially in the 1990s fine art world. I enjoyed the balance of thriller and historical fiction and the added bonus of a historical art mystery. Hotere cleverly stops short of Da Vinci Code style nonsense, but adds just a little magical realism to make the story shine. A captivating and informative read.
June 3, 2024
Art inspired novels are a genre I’ve got into recently and I was hooked at the premise of this after reading The Marriage Portrait last year. I enjoyed the depictions of life at court and the mystery side across time but the supernatural elements didn’t work for me. I also found it hard to get a sense of Alex as a person which made the novel feel a bit hollow.
October 31, 2024
A thriller-esq art historical fiction book reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code, and a fun reading journey. Putting the pieces of the puzzle together was a good time, and the plot never lagged. The swap between the Margarita's story and Alex's was really well done, and I enjoyed how they entwined together.
January 15, 2025
I’m not usually into stories that blur the line between reality and the fantastical, but this complex mystery had me hooked from start to finish. The connection between the two women across centuries, with the painting playing such a central role, was fascinating and kept me captivated. Highly recommend – 10/10!
September 29, 2025
The ending of this book got it close to 4 stars, but for the most part it was a 3. If started strong, slowed in the middle then it became weird. The ending was still weird (and not good weird) but tied most of the loose ends together, which I found satisfying. It portrays an idea of art transcending the physical world, however this was executed too literally.
January 5, 2024
Adored this book.
My type of book. Art, intrigue, history, just a beautifully crafted mystery and so evocative of a distance age.
Characters bought alive from the past and now a life long appreciation of a beautiful Nina’s. work of art Las Me
My type of book. Art, intrigue, history, just a beautifully crafted mystery and so evocative of a distance age.
Characters bought alive from the past and now a life long appreciation of a beautiful Nina’s. work of art Las Me
July 31, 2024
I haven't completed a book in years and this one was so interesting that I kept reading, and finally finished a book! However the ending didn't answer many questions I had. There is so much potential with his book and the themes in it, yet I just have more questions than answers.
May 21, 2025
2.75 stars
The premise of the story was great and I did enjoy the art aspect of the novel, however the successful execution of the plot wasn’t there. The characters felt rather flat, the story a little confusing in parts with some magical elements that just didn’t work for me.
The premise of the story was great and I did enjoy the art aspect of the novel, however the successful execution of the plot wasn’t there. The characters felt rather flat, the story a little confusing in parts with some magical elements that just didn’t work for me.
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November 26, 2023A heady deep dive into a famous Spanish painting. I enjoyed the visceral hauntings.
December 20, 2023
Odd. Not sure what I think about it. Weird mix of art history whodunnit and spirit world. Enjoyable, ambitious. Different
February 25, 2024
A great read of history and mystery
March 12, 2024
3.75 star – an NZ author – I enjoyed the historical history of art, which has been made so mysterious. Highly recommend.
May 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this story of the history surrounding Velazquez’s painting of Las Meninas and the mystery that present day art intern Alex seeks to solve.
May 17, 2024
Finished this in one sitting during a 3.5 hour flight and it was an absolute delight.
March 7, 2025
Loved this book, it made me get out my mothers art books to get a look at the paintings mentioned in the story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews