Yosay Briels writes historical fiction inspired by real artists and the stories behind their work. With a BA in Art History and French Literature, she's fascinated by the worlds that shaped creative lives — and she dives deep to reconstruct them.
To get inside her characters' experiences, Yosay travels to their cities, explores their music, fashion, food, books, and daily routines, and studies everything from personal letters to exhibition reviews. Her goal: to make readers feel as if they're living right alongside her characters.
Her debut novel, The Dutch Artist and His Muse, brings Rotterdam artist Jan Sirks and his muse, Hillegonda, to life through a blend of meticulous research and immersive storytelling.
Outside of writing, Yosay was a founding member of the charitable trust behind the Harbour Kitchens cookbook, and her sketch Insight, Hindsight and Foresight was performed at the launch of the Christchurch Innovation Incubator. She also works as portfolio manager and curator for the Jan Sirks Foundation.
Her second novel, The Legacy of Jan Sirks, was released in December 2025 in paperback and e-book.
© Yosay Briels 2026