The Tsarina's Lost Treasure: Catherine the Great, a Golden Age Masterpiece, and a Legendary Shipwreck

The Tsarinas Lost Treasure is a historical and maritime adventure about a merchant ship that crashed off the Finnish coast in 1771, carrying a dozen Dutch masterpiece paintings to Catherine the Great. Among the lost treasures was The Nursery, an oak-paneled triptych by Gerrit Dou, Rembrandts most brilliant student and Hollands first international superstar artist. The shipwreck became a maritime legend, and in 1999, a daring Finnish wreck hunter found Vrouw Maria, upright on the sea floor and perfectly preserved. The book weaves together the rise and fall of the artist and the personalities that drove the tale.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2022
Publisher: Pegasus Books

A captivating historical narrative and maritime adventure unfolds, delving into the intriguing tale of priceless masterpieces originally destined for Catherine the Great. On the fateful day of October 1771, a merchant ship named Vrouw Maria, hailing from Amsterdam, encountered a tragic end as it crashed off the stormy Finnish coast, carrying its precious cargo to the depths of the Baltic Sea. The vessel was entrusted with the noble mission of delivering a dozen Dutch masterworks to the esteemed collector of Europe, Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. Among the lost treasures that graced the vessel was none other than The Nursery, an oak-paneled triptych created by the renowned Leiden fine painter Gerrit Dou. Dou, known as Rembrandts most brilliant student and the pioneering artist of Holland's international acclaim, had achieved unparalleled fame during the Dutch Golden Age. The Nursery, his magnum opus, held a revered status as the most beloved and coveted painting of that era, mourned by art enthusiasts worldwide upon its tragic loss in the shipwreck.

Meanwhile, Vrouw Maria herself embarked on a remarkable journey, becoming a maritime legend that perplexed and challenged would-be salvagers for over two hundred years. In a remarkable turn of events, in July 1999, a daring Finnish wreck hunter discovered Vrouw Maria, upright and remarkably preserved, resting peacefully on the sea floor. The Tsarinas Lost Treasure, penned by Gerald Easter and Mara Vorhees, skillfully weaves together the captivating tale of Vrouw Maria's tragic loss and remarkable discovery. The authors vividly bring to life the personalities that drove and continue to shape this compelling narrative, evoking the vivid portrayal of Russian high politics and culture by Robert Massie, the insightful insights into Dutch Golden Age art and art history by Simon Schama, and the adventurous spirit of Gary Kinders on the enchanting Archipelago Sea. Through their meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Easter and Vorhees transport readers into the heart of this historical adventure, offering a captivating glimpse into the world of art, politics, and the allure of the perilous Baltic Sea.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 210 x 140 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781643139425