Natalie Lemle's Debut Novel 'Artifacts' Explores Provenance and Identity

Natalie Lemle's debut novel 'Artifacts' weaves together themes of archaeology, provenance, and personal history through alternating timelines following protagonist Lena. The story shifts between her college years captivated by an enigmatic professor and an archaeological dig, and her later life as a lawyer haunted by that experience. Lemle draws inspiration from real-world provenance controversies, particularly the Marion True case at the Getty Museum, which involved accusations of fueling the market for looted antiquities. The novel examines the tension between inherited history and self-creation, paralleling Lena's coming-of-age with the murky origins of ancient artifacts. Lemle, who worked in museum corporate relations at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and is now a trustee at the ICA, brings insider perspective to the art world. The book joins a wave of recent art-world fiction including Heather McGowan's 'Friends of the Museum,' C. Michelle Lindley's 'The Nude,' Antonia Angress's 'Sirens & Muses,' and Ling Ling Huang's 'Immaculate Conception.' Lemle recommends related reading and viewing including 'Chasing Aphrodite,' 'The Art Thief,' 'La Chimera,' and 'Indiana Jones.'