Whistler's Mother

Sarah Walden studied art history at the Courtauld Institute and is one of the world's leading restorers of old - and new - masters, having restored paintings for museums and galleries around the world - from the Louvre to the Uffizi in Florence, including Rembrandts, Titians, Gauguins and Picassos; her previous book is The Ravished Image (introduced by Sir Ernst Gombrich).

• AcknowledgementsThe Portrait as EnigmaPrelude to a MasterpieceThe Moment of CreationHis Mother and Other WomenThe Portrait as PatriotismThe 'Mother's Road to FranceOrigins and InfluencesTechnique: Aspects of InsecurityRestoration: the Elusive OriginalConclusionNotesIndex

'Beautifully written.' SAUL BELLOW'Enlightening.' DON DELILLO'Brilliant.' MAIL ON SUNDAY'Sparkling.' DAILY TELEGRAPH'Fascinating.' THE TIMES, Lara Freeman'Much that had remained hidden.' OBSERVER'Entrancing.' LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS'Engrossing.' FINANCIAL TIMES'Splendid.' SPECTATORDAILY MAIL Critic's ChoiceEVENING STANDARD Critic's Choice'Uncommon.' CHOICE REVIEW'Exceptionally engaging' APOLLO MAGAZINE