Description:
For fans of rich and vivid YA historical fiction like Girl with a Pearl Earring and Code Name Verity, Laura Malone Elliott delivers the stunning tale of real-life Renaissance woman Ginevra de' Benci, the inspiration for the art history mystery behind one of Leonardo da Vinci's earliest masterpieces.
The young and beautiful daughter of a wealthy family, Ginevra longs to share her poetry and participate in the artistic ferment of Renaissance Florence but is trapped in an arranged marriage in a society dictated by men.
The arrival of the charismatic Venetian ambassador, Bernardo Bembo, introduces Ginevra to a dazzling circle of patrons, artists, and philosophers. Bembo chooses Ginevra as his Platonic muse and commissions a portrait of her by a young Leonardo da Vinci.
Posing for the brilliant painter inspires an intimate connection between them, one Ginevra only begins to understand.
In a rich and vivid world of exquisite art with a dangerous underbelly of deadly political intrigue, Ginevra faces many challenges to discover her voice and artistic companionship--and to find love.
Her portrait will make her immortal, but the woman in the painting must navigate a treacherous world of genius, politics, and passion to define her own destiny.
- A Strong Female Protagonist: Meet Ginevra de' Benci, a gifted young poet who sees herself as a "mountain tiger" trapped in a world that wants to keep her in a gilded cage.
- Biographical Fiction: Discover the meticulously researched story behind the real woman who inspired Leonardo da Vinci's first masterpiece and the only one on display in the Americas.
- Slow Burn Romance: An intimate, intellectual connection sparks between Ginevra and the brilliant young artist hired to paint her, Leonardo da Vinci, a bond that challenges them both.
- 15th Century Italy: Experience the dazzling but dangerous world of the Florentine Renaissance, from magnificent jousting tournaments to the deadly political conspiracies of the Medici and Pazzi families.
Brief description:
L. M. Elliott is the New York Times bestselling author of Da Vinci's Tiger; Under a War-Torn Sky; A Troubled Peace; Across a War-Tossed Sea; Annie, Between the States; Give Me Liberty; Flying South; and Hamilton and Peggy! She lives in Virginia with her family. You can visit her online at www.lmelliott.com.
Review Quotes:
An exquisitely detailed story of the passionate relationship between artist and muse, whose spirited yet gentle Renaissance heroine put me in awe of just how far women have had to come in 500 years. Beautifully painted. - Elizabeth Wein, Michael L. Printz Honor winner and New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity
"Elliott's novel is thoroughly researched, portraying three-dimensional characters in a lively atmosphere of love and art. Renaissance Florence breathes through this book, bringing readers to a fuller understanding of the portrait, the era, and an indomitable young woman." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Rich in historical detail... fans of historical fiction will find Italy's Renaissance fascinating." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
"Elliott meticulously researched the 15th century to bring alive the affluence, art, and clothing Florence was known for. In many ways, this intriguing novel is a feminist piece. Add this gem to round-out collections skewed toward 20th century history." - School Library Journal
"[T]he independent female narrator and the richly drawn portrait of Italian culture will attract history buffs and artists alike to this story behind da Vinci's first-known painting." - Booklist