In her brilliant debut, Storey brings early 16th-century Florence alive, entering with extraordinary empathy into the minds and souls of two Renaissance masters, creating a stunning art history thriller. From 1501 to 1505, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti both lived and worked in Florence. Leonardo was a charming, handsome fifty year-old at the peak of his career. Michelangelo was a … a temperamental sculptor in his mid-twenties, desperate to make a name for himself.
Michelangelo is a virtual unknown when he returns to Florence and wins the commission to carve what will become one of the most famous sculptures of all time: David. Even though his impoverished family shuns him for being an artist, he is desperate to support them. Living at the foot of his misshapen block of marble, Michelangelo struggles until the stone finally begins to speak. Working against an impossible deadline, he begins his feverish carving.
Meanwhile, Leonardo’s life is falling apart: he loses the hoped-for David commission; he can’t seem to finish any project; he is obsessed with his ungainly flying machine; he almost dies in war; his engineering designs disastrously fail; and he is haunted by a woman he has seen in the market–a merchant’s wife, whom he is finally commissioned to paint. Her name is Lisa, and she becomes his muse.
Leonardo despises Michelangelo for his youth and lack of sophistication. Michelangelo both loathes and worships Leonardo’s genius.
Oil and Marble is the story of their nearly forgotten rivalry.
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The story of two of the greatest artists, Da Vinci and Michelangelo, and how they competed for commissions and interacted with each other in Florence. A wonderful description of their lives and rivalry. Fascinating!!!
I felt rather underwhelmed and did not finish the book.
The subject was hardly oooriginal just a new take oñ a well known story
I really enjoyed the book.
So DaVinci and Michelangelo hated each other. Until I read this (and did some additional research), it had never even occurred to me that they knew each other. Historical records agree that they hated each other. Engaging novel about their overlap in Florence.
Excellent historical fiction. This book brought to life to great art masterpieces and their artists.
An inside look at the relationship between Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo.
This was a great story.
Hadn’t realized that Michelangelo and Leonardo di Vinci were contemporaries; interesting historical novel.
I kept wondering what was truth and what was fiction.
Interesting historical fiction
The author was so creative to develope these well known artists from a personal side. Wonderful insight into the life of the times and the conflict between artists.
What a great read! One of my favorite books this year.
A little slow read
A
A good blend of fact and fiction Well researched
This book brings (abundantly) to life theses two iconic artists. It has rejuvenated my college fascination with these (& all) Renaissance Masters.
Not written well but enjoyed the story of the relationship between Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci.
Characters are poorly developed, but an interesting viewpoint of the period and the juxtaposition of the two characters in history. Interpretation of the sculptures and paintings quite revealing.
good historical fiction
If you are history and art enthusiasts you will find putting this wonderful exploration of daVinci and Michaelangelo in an imagined meeting very hard to put down. Extraordinary research provides authenticity to this envisioned rivalry.