Fred R Kline

I was immediately fascinated by this book as I studied art history in college. Of course that led to my career in banking, heh. But I do love art and Renaissance art in particular. I have a particular fondness for Michelangelo and since Leonardo is a contemporary I enjoy any chance to find myself back in the era.

This book almost reads like a thriller as the author introduces the drawing and his suspicions that it’s not just any “old master” work. He has strong feelings that it’s by Leonardo DaVinci! He misses his first chance to buy it but fate brings it to him at another time. Then begins the task of determining who drew the child. I doubt I’m telling tales out of school by sharing the excitement of the chase and discovery of Leonardo’s hand in the drawing. Would there be a book otherwise? It didn’t come immediately and it didn’t come without a healthy dose of skepticism but that is half the fun of the reading.

The book reads like non-fiction; Mr. Kline writes with enthusiasm for his subject but not in such a way that is over the head of his reader. It does help to have a passion – or at least a healthy interest – in art, I will admit that. But then again you wouldn’t be looking at the title if you didn’t.

It doesn’t take the whole of the book’s 384 pages to tell the tale of Leonardo’s drawing. Mr. Kline shares other stories from the art world from different centuries and different continents. All make for very interesting reading and for an wealth of fascinating stories to share when conversation should lag.… (meer)