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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Fabulous historical information. Loved it!
Loved the fictional twist and drama between two great artists!
loved characterization of people we THOUGHT we knew
Interesting imagining of interaction between two fascinating historical figures.
THE CHARACTERS ARE CAPTIVATING. I LOVE HISTORICAL FICTION.
I gobbled up this book. I loved learning more about these 2 famous artists. The story-telling was very well done as far as I’m concerned. I loved it so much I bought a hard copy and sent it to my sister who is an artist. We saw the Mona Lisa together at the Lourve many, many years ago. She almost fainted thinking she was looking at the real one.
Love historical fiction. The author explains it all at the end Betsy
What an outstanding novel! The author’s interpretation of historical information was as dramatic as the artists she wrote about. Her descriptions of the art were beautiful giving each a life of its own.The books is so well written I plan to read it again so I may repeat this journey to Florence.
Curious about d’s Vinci and Michelangelo in the same place and time, this is a good read. However, a bit thin on in depth analysis. This is more a fictional exploration of the collision of two competing artistic genius in an age and place where artists were rock stars.
Wonderful historical novel on DaVinci and Michelangelo
good book about these two artists
Not historically accurate, but entertaining to see Da Vinci and Michaelango fleshed out and made human with gifts and faults like all of us.
I read this because we are travelling to Florence this summer. I wanted to know more about the artists.
Makes me want to go back to Florence to see all the great places described in the book. Loved learning more about the master artists!
This book is a fun, somewhat speculative, story of the lives and competitions that drove Leonardo and Michelangelo to create some of their best work.
Great history written in entertaining style
Loved this booked. Would highly recommend it
I loved this book! I really brought art to life. While reading this book I began looking up the various art works so I could study them more closely. I highly recommend this book to art lovers and lovers of history
This was a nice change from the usual interaction between Michaelangelo and Leonardo DaVinci. Different and interesting.
Far from believable!