The Paris Muse

The fictionalized love story between the artist and muse Dora Maar and Pablo Picasso.

Paris, 1936. When Dora Maar, a talented French photographer, painter and poet, is introduced to Pablo Picasso, she is instantly mesmerized. Drawn to his volcanic creativity, it isn't long before she embarks on a passionate relationship with the Spanish artist that ultimately pushes her to the edge.

A wonderfully atmospheric, intense and astonishing novel about Dora Maar - the artist, creative genius and muse who inspired some of Pablo Picasso's greatest work - and about their love affair that broke her.

Review

This astonishing story about love and betrayal, creativity and genius is destined to become a classic among biographical novels... An unforgettable novel about an extraordinary woman. -- Maggie Brookes, author of The Prisoner's Wife

An unforgettable novel, beautifully written. This is a powerful, absorbing read about a woman who was a talented artist in her own right. -- Gill Paul, internationally bestselling author of A Beautiful Rival

An accomplished literary novel, and also an absolute page turner. Raw sexual charisma and its descent into toxic cruelty which is set - and artfully echoed - in times of peace and war. -- Essie Fox, author of the Sunday Times bestseller The Fascination

This absolute jewel of a novel shines a light on the tumultuous relationship between Picasso and Dora Maar. With profundity, grace and compassion, Treger probes the complexities of love, power and creativity. -- Annabel Abbs, author of the international bestseller The Language of Food

Captures Dora Maar's passionate, angry voice, and the agony and ecstasy of a love affair with Picasso's monstrous genius with energy and insight. It also asks good questions about the way too many women who are artists in their own right get shoved into second place by men, and demeaned as "muses". -- Amanda Craig

Gifted photographer and painter - and muse of Picasso - Dora Marr comes vibrantly to life in Treger's new novel, The Paris Muse. A fascinating and heartfelt portrait of a female artist striving to succeed in the male-dominated Parisian art world, readers won't be able to resist rooting for Dora, or relishing every page until The End. A compelling and absorbing read! -- Heather Webb, USA Today and International bestselling author of Queens of London

This wholly immersive, vivid tale is a poignant evocation of the life of esteemed photographer and painter Dora Maar, no longer merely Picasso's muse, her history reclaimed by Treger as the artist fully herself. -- Janet Somerville, author of Yours, for Probably Always: Martha Gellhorn's Letters of Love & War 1930-1949

About the Author

Louisa Treger is the author of three novels, The Lodger (2014), The Dragon Lady (2019), and Madwoman (2022). She has written for the Financial Times, The Times, the Telegraph, Tatler, BBC History Magazine, and English Heritage. Radio appearances include BBC Radio 3's Free Thinking Programme and BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour. Treger has a first-class degree and a PhD in English Literature from UCL and currently lives in London.