Ray Smith

Journey of a Painting Ray Smith

A famous painting by The Italian Master, Canaletto, is stolen by The Nazis from a Jewish family in Poland. The turmoil of war forces Hitler and his henchmen to move this and other works of art continuously from place to place in their bid to evade their discovery. These hectic 'removals' take in secret hiding places across poland, Germany and Austria.

Years later The Government of Poland seeks to have the painting tracked down and returned to Poland as part of its natural heritage to which it rightfully belongs.

Tom Blake, a businessman based in Algiers is tasked with tracking down the masterpiece and organising its return to Poland. The twists and turns of his adventure in doing so bring him Love as well as exposing him to situations of great danger. Nevertheless the narrative paints an intriguing picture of German Nationalism during the wartime years, which some say still lurks beneath the veneer of a modern democracy.