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‘Historical fiction at its best’ Reader reviewThe Tattooist of Auschwitz meets Girl with a Pearl Earring in this gripping, dual-timeline historical novel about one of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous paintings and the woman who fought to save it from the s.‘Simply a masterpiece… Fans of Kristin Hannah’s Nightingale and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See will delight in this epic novel’ Lori Nelson SpielmanBetween 1939 and 1943, the s stole every known painting by Leonardo Da Vinci, imprisoning the original owners or worse. This is the story of the most infamous of these thefts…Munich, 1939In fear of the brutal regime, art conservator Edith Becker is forced to find one of the world’s most priceless works of art and hand it over to none other than Hans Frank – the Butcher of Poland.Confronted by the horrors she witnesses in Poland and risking her own life, Edith tries to hide her own small acts of resistance – and avoid the unpredictable gaze of Frank himself.Milan, 1492Cecilia Gallerani, the beautiful mistress of the Duke of Milan must fight for her place in the palace―and against those who want her out. Sitting before Leonardo da Vinci, she becomes the subject of his most ambitious portrait to date.Two women, separated by 500 years, are swept up in the tide of history as one painting stands at the centre of their quests for their own destinies.Readers absolutely love The Night Portrait:‘A truly original novel that has earned its place among my favourite works of historical fiction’ Jennifer Robson‘I found myself racing through the last chapters to see how the story ended and would definitely recommend this book to historical fiction lovers’ Joanne‘Gives us so many heartbreaking and yet wonderful experiences…an excellent book that and kept me glued to the pages’ Angela‘Remarkable…brushstrokes of magic here’ Book Trail‘Breathtaking…this isn’t just another book about WWII’ Sarah‘A fascinating dual timeline novel with its roots in reality…compelling’ Julia‘The o
A stolen masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci becomes the nexus for two women fighting for their destinies across five centuries. In 1939 Munich, art conservator Edith Becker is forced by the brutal Nazi regime to locate and surrender one of the world's most priceless artworks to Hans Frank, risking her life to perform small acts of resistance and evade his dangerous attention. Five hundred years earlier, in Milan, Cecilia Gallerani, the Duke's mistress, navigates the treacherous currents of court life while sitting for Leonardo da Vinci, becoming the subject of his most ambitious portrait. The narrative unfolds through dual timelines, contrasting Edith's wartime struggles with Cecilia's Renaissance court intrigues, all centered around the fate of a single, iconic painting.
The novel is highly praised by readers and critics alike, with comparisons drawn to acclaimed historical fiction works such as 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz', 'Girl with a Pearl Earring', 'The Nightingale', and 'All the Light We Cannot See'. Reviewers highlight its originality, compelling narrative, and the emotional depth of its dual-timeline structure. The book is celebrated for its blend of art history, wartime drama, and the exploration of women's resilience across centuries. Many readers found the story to be both heartbreaking and wonderful, keeping them engrossed until the very end.
Page Count:
400
Publication Date:
2020-12-10
Publisher:
One More Chapter
ISBN-10:
0008422710
ISBN-13:
9780008422714
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