Historical Fiction Best Sellers about the Impressionists

Best Selling Historical Fiction Novels about Claude Monet & the Impressionists

Are you a die-hard historical fiction bookworm? Do you love the revolutionary French Impressionists? If yes, then this page is for you! I have listed historical fiction best sellers written about the impressionists and post-impressionists.

Lie on your bed, or on your favorite couch & allow yourself to time travel through these books into the art world of these painters. These historical fiction novels will take you to the legendary hill-top village of Montmartre where avant garde artists, writers, musicians and poets gathered and together redefined art!

19th Century Belle Epoque Paris

The era of the French Impressionists is an especiallly fascinating one. It was the period between the terrible Franco-Prussian War and the devastating First World War (1871- 1914).

During these 40 years, Europe celebrated political stability & a feeling of optimism. It was the beginning of large scale industrialization and the era of public train transport. Europe was rebuilding itself and flourishing. Parisians could now take train trips to the lovely coastal villages of Normandy.

This period era is known as “the Golden Era” or in French “La Belle Epoque“.

The Emergence of Impressionism

It was during the “Belle Epoque” that the French impressionism movement emerged. These revolutionary artists, such as Monet, Manet, Renoir & others were, unknowingly, paving the way to modern art. They turned away from traditional art, causing an uproar in the art world.

In reality, the journey of the impressionists was not an easy one! The art world did not know how to digest the “crude” and “colorful” artworks of these painters. For a very long time, the art establishments, critics and patrons rejected, criticized and scorned their paintings. Many of the impressionists could barely cover the costs of their painting materials. Some lived in utter poverty, trading their artworks for food and board.

The Comprehensive List of Historical Fiction Best Sellers

Below is a list of best selling historical fiction books written about the Impressionism and Post-Impressionism painters. Page by page the book will immerse you into the atmosphere of 19th century Paris during the Belle Epoque. You will meet these young emerging artists who were still unknown and often struggling!

Through these novels, you will read the stories about Degas, Chagall,  Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh,  Monet, Morisot & many more.

Novels about Edgar Degas & his Fascination with the Ballerinas at the Paris Opera

The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
Dancing for Degas by Kathryn Wagner
Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer

Edgar Degas was seriously obsessed with the ballerinas of the Paris Opera. So much so, that he created hundreds of beautiful paintings of the ballerinas on stage and behind the scenes. Degas spent nearly 40 years at the Paris Opera and was therefore fully aware, and not at all sympathetic, to the plight of the ballerinas.

The Paris Opera Ballet, one of the first professional ballet companies in the world, was actually a high class brothel behind the scenes. The institution allowed and encouraged rich and powerful men to sexually exploit these young girls. In return, these rich men donated lots of money to the Paris Opera. These vulnerable girls, who often came from poor homes and had nowhere else to go, had no choice but to cooperate.

As well as portraying Edgar Degas, all these books describe the sordid reality behind the scenes of the prestigious Paris Opera ballet. Press here to read my review of one of these books. Sadly, not much has changed in the world as we now know from the recent #MeToo movement.

A wonderful historical fiction novel about Claude Monet

Claude & Camille by Stephanie Cowell.
The author takes us to the early years of the French Impressionist Claude Monet and his muse, lover and first wife Camille Doncieux. These are difficult years for the struggling artist & Camille has to find the strength to deal with many uncertainties. Press here to read my review of this wonderful book.

Great Historical Fiction Best Sellers about the Defiant Female Impressionist Berthe Morisot

La Luministe by Paula Butterfield

With Violets by Elizabeth Robards
Both books portray the lesser known, trailblazing female French Impressionist, Berthe Morisot. This incredibly gifted artist was very successful in her lifetime. This is remarkable as it happened in an era when women had no place in the art world. Her accomplishments defied all odds & her amazing story deserves to be told. Check out my review of La Luminste.

Novels about Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Renoir, My Father by Jean Renoir
This engaging biography was written by Renoir’s son, Jean. The book transports you into Renoir’s personal and family life in late 19th & early 20th centuries in France.

Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland
Vreeland takes us inside Renoir‘s great masterpiece, Luncheon of the Boating Party. Through the book, we learn who the models were inside the painting and Renoir’s relationship with each one (these are actual people!!). The book also takes us to the artist’s favorite haunt, the Maison Fournaise restaurant, on the River Seine just outside of Paris. Check out my review of this fabulous novel!

Historical Fiction about the American/French Impressionist & Feminist Mary Cassatt

Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper by Harriet Scott Chessman

I Always Loved You by Robin Oliveira
The author, Robin Oliveira, takes you into Paris life of the impressionism painters in the 1860s. However, the main focus of the book is the complicated and lifelong friendship between the two artists, Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas. Check out my review of this wonderful novel.

(As an Amazon Associate I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase with Amazon through my site)

Historical Fiction best sellers about the tragic life of Vincent Van Gogh

Sunflowers by Sheramy Burndrick
Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman
Leaving Van Gogh by Carol Wallace
The Yellow House: Van Gogh, Gaugin and Nine Turbulent Weeks in Provence by Martin Gayford.

The Last Van Gogh by Alyson Richman
Alyson Richman beautiful captures the last 70 days of Van Gogh’s Life in Auvers-sur-Oise. The main characters in the book are Van Gogh, Dr. Gatchet and his daughter, Marguerite. Van Gogh and Marguerite form a beautiful, tender relationship but it is doomed, as Van Gogh is on the brink of absolute despair. The Last Van Gogh is a wonderful novel. Press here for my full review.

Lust for Life by Irving Stone
This is a beautiful fictional-biography portraying the misunderstood artist, Vincent Van Gogh. The story spans a decade of Van Gogh’s life, from when he leaves home to become a missionary until his death in Auvers-sur-Oise. You will feel moved by Van Gogh’s intense passion to create, amazed at his brother’s unwavering love and heartbroken at Van Gogh’s emotional anguish. The author has masterfully provided the backdrops to many of Van Gogh’s iconic artworks as he takes us through Van Gogh’s life. For my full review of this wonderful book, press here.

Fascinating Novels about Edouard Manet & his Paintings

The three novels below all focus on Victorine, Édouard Manet’s favorite muse.

Victorine-Louise Meurent was a French artist and model for many famous painters. Over the years, Victorine modeled for Édouard Manet many times. Although Manet was married, there is speculation that they may have had a long love affair.

Victorine was much more than a painter’s model. She was also a talented artist in her own right. The prestigious Paris Salon exhibited many of her paintings, which was an amazing accomplishment for any female in those times. Check out the books below:

Victorine  by Drema Drudge
Drēma Drudge’s novel, Victorine, is a beautifully crafted historical fiction story about Édouard Manet’s favorite model, Victorine Meurent & her transformation into an accomplished artist in her own right. From the dank depths of the catacombs to the art studios of some of the most esteemed impressionists of Paris, this first-person story captures a time and place from the unlikeliest of sources – the model for Manet’s “scandalous” painting, Olympia. Press here for a full review about his book.

Paris Red by Maureen Gibbon (about Victorine – Manet’s muse)
Mademoiselle Victorine by Debra Finerman

Beautiful Art Historical Fiction Novels about the Impressionist -Camille Pissarro

Depths of Glory by Irving Stone
Irving Stone has crafted a fictional-biography about the impressionism painter Camille Pissarro. The story tells of Pissarro’s challenging journey through life in both his artistic and personal spheres. However despite his many challenges, Pissarro passionately continued to paint and create. Throughout the book, you are also transported into the world of the Impressionism artists and their connection to Pissarro. All the big names are here, such as Manet, Monet, Sisley, Renoir, Degas and many more.  For more information, press here.

The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
Marriage of Opposites is a fabulous love story set on the tropical island of St. Thomas. The main protagonist is a headstrong Jewish woman, Rachel, who breaks all the rules. She eventually gives birth to the impressionism painter, Camille Pissarro, who inherited her avant garde character.

Historical Fiction best sellers about the French Post-Impressionists

Books about Paul Cezanne, The “Father of Modern Art”

The Masterpiece by Emile Zola
Cezanne’s Quarry by Barbara Corrado Pope 

Lisette’s List by Susan Vreeland
Lisette’s List is a beautiful love story that deals with the themes of art, love, loss and healing. The setting is a small rustic village in picturesque Provence and during the gloomy years of WW2 . The book transports you into the world of the French post-impressionists, such as Pissarro, Cezanne and Chagall who spent time in this region. Press here for my full review.

Novels about the sad life of the Post-Impressionist Toulouse Lautrec

Sacré Bleu by Christopher Moore

The Moulin Rouge by Pierre La Mure
This book was written in 1950 but is a timeless classic. The story captures the sad life of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec from his birth town in Albi, to his creative years in in Montmartre until his death in Saint-André-du-Bois.  It will ignite your imagination and romantic hunger of 19th century Paris during the emergence of the impressionists. For my full review, press here.

Historical Fiction best sellers about the Belarus / French artist Marc Chagall

The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer
The Flight Portfolio is a magnificent historical fiction book about a real-life but obscure American hero called Varian Fry. During WW2, Fry spent some of the war years in Southern France. Fry and a very small team worked around the clock to smuggle Jewish avant garde artists out of Europe. Realizing that their resources are limited, Fry decides to focus their efforts on saving the most talented & brilliant Jewish minds from the Nazis.

Some of the Jews saved by Fry and his team include Marc Chagall, Andre Breton, Max Ernst, Franz Werfel, Marcel DuChamp, and Hannah Arendt. This wonderful book rightly sheds light on Fry’s incredible heroism. It also raises the question about the value of life. Is the life of a talented writer, painter or musician more valuable than that of another without talent?  Click here for my full review

Lisette’s List by Susan Vreeland
Lisette’s List is a wonderful novel that follows Lisette’s journey from pre-war Paris through the dark years of WW2 and beyond. Susan Vreeland draws you in from the very first page… You will love the characters in this book and the picture-perfect setting of Roussillon in Provence. Through the stories of the grandfather, you will learn about the famous post-impressionist painters who lived in this region, such as Pissarro, Cezanne and Chagall. Vreeland captures the difficulties and the spirit of the French during the terrible war years. It is a wonderful page turner. Press here for my full review.

The Bridal Chair by Gloria Goldreich
The Bridal Chair is a wonderful historical saga that follows the Chagall family through the eyes of Chagall’s daughter, Ida. The book is set in turbulent times, especially for Jews and also in France where Chagall and his family live. It’s a well written book, full of fascinating historical detail and featuring a host of famous artists from that period. Check out my full review here.

Novels about Pablo Picasso – one of the greatest artists of the 20th century

Madame Picasso by Anne Girard
Madame Picasso is a beautiful love story. It is a known fact that Pablo Picasso’s art was influenced and inspired by the women in his life. This book is about one of those women, Eva Gouel. Eva is probably one of the lesser known women but she was in fact one of his greatest loves. We learn about Picasso and his avant garde art world through her eyes. The author wonderfully captures the events that molded Picasso into the artist he was yet to become. Press here for my full review.

Life With Picasso by Françoise Gilot,
Cooking for Picasso by Camille Aubray
The Blue Period: A Novel by Luke Jerod Kummer  

Historical fiction about the Pont Aven Artist Paul Gauguin

The Way to Paradise by Mario Vargas Llosa
The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham

Best sellers about the trailblazing female Post-Impressionist Suzanne Valadon

Renoir’s Dancer: The Secret Life of Suzanne Valadon by Catherine Hewitt
Suzanne Valadon: The Mistress of Montmartre by June Rose

Both book are about the lesser known, trailblazing female, post-impressionism painter Suzanne Valadon.  

Valadon was a poor French country girl when she moved to Paris towards the end of the 19th century. She wanted to become an artist but could not afford professional art classes. However, she managed to enter the art scene by modeling for many of the emerging artists of that time, including Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Modigliani and others. Through these artists, she learned of what was happening in the art world.

Valadon eventually found the courage to show her artworks to her artist friends and she became a well-respected artist in her own right.  This was an incredible achievement as Suzanne Valadon was a self-taught and still managed to make a name for herself in the male-dominated art world.

Both books transport you into the avant garde art scene of Montmartre in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. You will read about Suzanne Valadon’s remarkable determination to live by her own set of rules & defying all the norms of the time.  Valadon’s story is inspirational. Check out my full book reviews here.

Historical Fiction Novel about the Post Impressionist Maurice Utrillo (son of Susan Valadon)

Man of Montmartre by Stephen & Ethel Longstreet

Historical Fiction Story about Pierre Bonnard Bonnard

Contre-Jour: A Triptych After Pierre Bonnard by Gabriel Josipovici

Superbly crafted fiction book about Amedeo Modigliani

Into the Darkness Laughing: The Story of Jeanne Hebuterne, Modigliani’s Last Mistress  by Patrice Chaplin
This beautiful book transports the reader into the bohemian art world of Montparnasse Paris of the early 20th century. In particular, the book revolves around the sad life of the Italian artist, Amedeo Modigliani. Patrice Chaplan decides to tell Modigliani’s story through the eyes of his mistress, Jeanne Heburterne. It is a wonderful but heart-wrenching story. Press here for more information.

Novels about the French Impressionism Sculptor Auguste Rodin

Rodin’s Lover by Heather Webb
Camille Claudel: A Novel by Alma H. Bond
Paris Kiss by Maggie Ritchie
Camille Claudel: A Life by Odile Ayral-Clause (a biography, but a fabulous read!)

Wonderful Non Fiction Books (biographies) that capture the French Impressionists & Post-Impressionists in 19th – 20th Century in Belle Epoque Paris

The Private Lives of the Impressionists by Sue Roe
In Montmartre: Picasso, Matisse and the Birth of Modernist Art by Sue Roe

Dawn of the Belle Epoque: The Paris of Monet, Zola, Bernhardt, Eiffel, Debussy, Clemenceau, and Their Friends by Mary McAuliffe
This wonderful book captures the pulse and atmosphere of Paris between the years 1871 and 1900. Each chapter is devoted to a year in the French capital. We learn of different events that happened in those years through the incredible people who were part of it, such as the artists Victor Hugo, Monet, Degas, Rodin, Manet, Zola, Degas, Rodin and prominent politicians and scientists, such as Clemenceau and Marie Curie.

Twilight of the Belle Epoque: The Paris of Picasso, Stravinsky, Proust, Renault, Marie Curie, Gertrude Stein, and Their Friends through the Great War by Mary McAuliffe
Mary McAuliffe’s second book is a follow up to her first one: Dawn of the Belle Epoque. This book focuses also on some very famous people from the years 1900 until the end of WW1 in 1918. The author tells us the stories of trailblazing characters such as Picasso, Gertrude Stein, Stravinsky, Proust, Renault, Marie Curie, Rodin, Debussy, Satie and others. Like in her first book, each chapter covers another year starting with 1900. Although non-fiction, the book reads like historical fiction, enjoyable and totally engaging.

Press on the pictures below, for my full reviews on some of these wonderful books.

Tell me of your favorite art historical fiction book that is not on my list!

Please send me your comments & recommendations of any art historical fiction novels or wonderful biographies about the impressionists that is not on my list.

I look forward to hearing from you!