Did you know that we offer a bi-monthly book club in collaboration with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County?  The See the Story Book Club meets on the third Saturday of every other month from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  Fiction and non-fiction books by authors from around the world are discussed in connection with the Art Museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions.  We hope that you’ll join us on Saturday, July 19^th as we discuss The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes.  Below is a short book review by docent Lois Deitschel, who will be leading the tour portion of July’s See the Story program.

WOW!  The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes is a perfect choice for the July “See the Story” tour.  Much has been written about the art stolen by the Nazis in WWII but Moyes takes us to the German occupation of northern France in 1916.  What happens to the portrait by fictional impressionist LaFevere coveted by the German Kommandant?  Does it come under the international rules of restitution?  Who is the rightful owner?  Can the provenance be determined?  This novel is filled with surprising twists of love and betrayal, hope and despair, based on history and the problems of ownership.  Moyes book will keep you up until the wee hours!  The book begs some questions concerning the museum’s collection:  How does the museum know where the objects come from?  Do the portraits have stories of love and intrigue?  Come to the Cincinnati Art Museum for a book discussion and art tour on Saturday, July 19th at 11:30 a.m. to find out!