A painter’s memoir of obsession, loss and creation during a trip to Venice

Alone in Venice for an artist’s residency, Celia Paul records her daily painting practice. Her days are both charged with and interrupted by the turmoil she feels over the death of her husband, and her more recent obsession with a younger man.

Inspired by the art, literature and atmosphere of the light-filled city around her, Paul’s meditations on love, creation, ageing and belonging are interwoven with fascinating explorations of artists and writers connected to Venice.

An act of profound and deeply personal observation, Objects of Desire reveals more with each reading. This is a window into a life devoted to art, a self-portrait of an artist who longs to look unflinchingly at herself – and invites us to do the same.

PRAISE FOR CELIA PAUL

‘Paul's powers of observation are keen and often ruthless’ New York Times

‘Deeply affecting and lyrical… glorious’ Chloe Aridjis (on Self-Portrait)

‘Engrossing’ Vogue (on Self-Portrait)

‘Beautiful, tender, and riveting. I have taken this book into my heart’ Claire-Louise Bennett (on Letters to Gwen John)

‘Paul’s prose.. glints and gleams on the page’ Daily Telegraph

‘Paul is one of the most thoughtful and significant living women artists’ Sunday Times

‘A powerful book’ Zadie Smith (on Self-Portrait)

‘Paul's memoir, Self-Portrait, is to me among the greatest ever books by an artist’ Observer

© Celia Paul 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026