The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

 This “spy story is set amid the rivalry of eighteenth century porcelain factories.” Bringing the story of the Meissen porcelain - where it all started in Europe, through Derby Porcelain in England, to Sevres - the French factory sponsored by Madame de Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV. “The atmosphere of high stakes and stolen formulas depicted in The Blue is factual. (…) Discoveries in pigment of color have a long and fascinating history, and none more so than in blue. A scientist named Georg Brandt was the first person to discover a new metal after he realized that the color of a blue pigment came from cobalt.”

Set at a time when England is at war with France. In London, William Hogarth is a successful leading artist. He is a great inspiration for young Genevieve Planche, who dreams about becoming an artist herself in a time when men are only meant to be artists. But she is a groundbreaking woman and she is about to ask the great artist to sponsor her.

Meanwhile, arrangements were made for her to take a position as a decorator at the Derby Porcelain Works. But this is not enough for her spirit. She doesn’t want to be a decorator. She wants to be a painter. She wants to be like Hogarth, capturing the lives of everyday people. 

She doesn’t receive the apprentice she was hoping for. Instead, Sir Gabriel, avid connoisseur of porcelain, notices her incredible knowledge of colors and offers her a deal. As it turns out, Derby has developed exceptional blue color. Whoever “is able to produce the most porcelain in this new revolutionary color of blue will control the market.” She receives an offer of becoming a spy. The reward is hefty, she just needs to discover the formula.

I enjoyed the history of porcelain, bringing also alchemy and science. It all started in China, then Johann Bottger, German chemist, deciphers the mystery of porcelain. With his discovery “Europe had its first original porcelain and its first true workshop, The Meissen Manufactory, which started production in 1710.” Followed by workshops in Germany, Austria, France and England – “all determined to come up with the most beautiful pieces.”

Historical background involves not only porcelain, but also depicts the lives of the Huguenot refugees in Spitalfields. Genevieve is a fictional character, but women did held artistic positions working for Anna Maria Garthwaite, a pioneer in textile design. “The eighteenth century was also a time of crucial developments in espionage, (…) Louis XV’s Le Secret du Roi is a fact.”

Interestingly written, the story offers a rich historical background intertwined with the spying game. 

P.S. If you enjoy stories involving art and would like to read more about Anna Maria Garthwaite's work, her story is depicted in Black Berry & Wild Rose by Sonia Velton. Also, Midnight Blue by Simone van Vlugt brings the Dutch Golden Age period including the Dutch Porcelain.

Release date: 3 December 2018

Publisher: Endeavour Quill