An exciting, dual-timeline historical novel about the creation of one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings, Portrait of a Lady with an Ermine, and the woman who fought to save it from Nazi destruction during World War II. Milan, 1492: When a 16-year old beauty becomes the mistress of the Duke of Milan, she must fight for her place in the palace—and against those who want her out. … palace—and against those who want her out. Soon, she finds herself sitting before Leonardo da Vinci, who wants to ensure his own place in the ducal palace by painting his most ambitious portrait to date.
Munich, World War II: After a modest conservator unwittingly places a priceless Italian Renaissance portrait into the hands of a high-ranking Nazi leader, she risks her life to recover it, working with an American soldier, part of the famed Monuments Men team, to get it back.
Two women, separated by 500 years, are swept up in the tide of history as one painting stands at the center of their quests for their own destinies.
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In a brilliantly written narrative that deftly cuts back and forth between the 15th and the 20th centuries, Morelli brings to vivid life the attempts by a German art restorer and an American soldier to rescue works of art from the destruction of war. This is a compelling story of two heroic people, of the young Cecelia who posed for Da Vinci, the artist, and the times they lived in. I am left with an affirmation of the crucial importance of art to a culture and the power of individual action.
Combining two of my favourite topics – WWII and art – I needed no persuasion to read this book.
It centres on Leonardo da Vinci’s Portrait of a Lady with an Ermine, from the moment he is called upon to paint it in the 15th Century until its many journeys during WWII between Poland and Germany when the portrait was “saved” by the Nazis – read “stolen” – destined for Hitler’s project to have the best art collection in the world.
Told through four viewpoints, the story spans the centuries connecting the past with the present. Leonardo and Cecilia (the subject of the portrait and mistress of the Duke of Milan) are the 15th Century perspectives, while the modern day characters are Edith (the art conservator whose role it is – against her will – to list the art on behalf of the Nazi government) and Dominic (one of The Monuments Men tasked with tracking down the stolen art as the war comes to an end).
Their stories weave effortlessly across the timelines, and I particularly enjoyed how she ended a chapter with a certain line, only for the next chapter to start with that line. Though the characters were centuries apart, they shared a vocabulary and a mindset.
The scenes in Renaissance Italy between Leonardo and Cecilia showed two people, both wanting to make their mark. Leonardo yearned for his ideas on flying and weapon-building to be taken up by the Duke, and agreed to paint the portrait to keep in the Duke’s favour. Cecilia wanted to be more than a nun, after her brothers ruined her chance of marriage in her home village. Once she met the Duke, she had high hopes of being his wife. Needless to say, both Leonardo and Cecilia had unfulfilled dreams, yet their lives were nothing if not extraordinary even after their first encounter.
Edith objected to being sent to Poland, away from her ailing father who suffered dementia. She objected to the work she was forced to do. It was a moment of clarity that made her realise she had a duty to preserve the art she found, and some day return it to its rightful owners. Dominic, a talented artist himself, wanted at first to have a more proactive role in the war. He felt he had a cushy number, until he too had that moment of clarity and understood that saving the artwork was an important role not just to return it to its owners, but to secure it for future generations.
This is quite a different take on a WWII novel; refreshingly so. It doesn’t gloss over the atrocities at all, but nor are these events at the core of the story. Clearly a lot of research went into this book; its detail is sublime. Fans of historical fiction will be sure to enjoy this book. Highly recommended.
The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli, which links Renaissance Italy and the crucible of World War Two in the most absorbing and innovative fashion, is also a novel of profound emotional resonance. A respected art historian, Morelli brings an exceptional depth of research and understanding to a story already made memorable by her beautiful prose. This is a truly original novel that has earned its place among my favorite works of historical fiction.
The Night Portrait is an astonishing, epic tale that seamlessly spans centuries of history and art, encompassing the beauty of the Renaissance and the horrible truths of Nazi Germany. Masterfully imagined and unforgettable, this riveting novel shows us the power of art to bring hope in a world of despair.
Laura Morelli’s The Night Portrait is a gorgeous and propulsive novel that brings to dramatic life the stories of Leonardo da Vinci, the subject of one of his most famous paintings, and the Monuments Men’s quest to rescue that masterpiece from the Nazis during World War II. This stunning novel is a great masterpiece on its own, making you see old stories — and old art — in fresh, new ways. Perfect for any art lover or anyone who wants to understand why we all must care about the history of art.
Once again I have gotten lost in a dual timeline historical fiction book based in WWII. The characters are really well developed and the author has managed to weave the story in a fluid manner. While the storyline itself is fiction, the fact that the painting by da Vinci being stolen during WWII is accurate. The amount of art which was stolen and eventually lost during Hitler’s reign of terror is appalling. The author’s notes provide additional background information that added to the enjoyment of reading this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Like The Women in Gold and The Monuments Men, this book presents an important story. People must remember what happened during WWII, how the Nazis attempted to steal all the best fine art in the world. They got no further than taking most of the fine art and collectibles from all much of Europe, planning to keep the best of the best for the pleasure of the German High Command’s officers. They had no intention of “saving” this artwork for posterity, for the people of the world, not even for the German citizenry. They took little care to keep the works safe, storing them in areas where damage and destruction awaited many of them.
There are four stories with different timelines. When the four stories come together, it’s like bright lights turning on to chase away the darkness and the horror that the Third Reich wrought. We follow Leonardo da Vinci, the now famous artist; Celia Gallerani, a young country woman who becomes the mistress of the Regent of Milan; Dominic Bonelli, a US army private; and Edith Becker, a German art conservator.
This book allows us to see this action from the viewpoint of Edith, a German art conservator. She tries her best to protect the work, keeps inventories of much of it, and constantly tries to figure out how to return the work to the rightful owners. She’s convinced that those in charge of the project, particularly Hans Frank, the Butcher of Poland, intend to keep the artwork for themselves. Having little power, she does all she can to protect the masterworks, even carrying them from place to place herself, just to make sure they are not damaged or lost in transit.
A wonderful and interesting book, one that’s definitely worth the time to read.
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Fans of historical fiction and lovers of art will appreciate the research and story Laura Morelli had brought to the page of The Night Portrait. Leonardo DaVinci painted Lady with the Ermine which today hangs in the National Museum in Krakow Poland. But the story behind the painting is one that is delicately woven by Morelli and left this reader with a greater appreciation for those that risked their lives to preserve such great masterpieces.
The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli was an all encompassing story which told of a painting from the points of view of Leonardo da Vinci’s subject, Cecelia Gallerini; Leonardo, himself; Dominic, an American soldier who was assigned to drive and protect men who later became known as the Monuments Men; and Edith, a art conservator who was pulled in to help the Nazis steal works of art from all over Europe. Edith had become very protective of the portrait known as The Lady With an Ermine and suffered greatly from her guilty conscience over this and many other works being stolen from their rightful owners, let alone what the Nazis were doing to innocents all over Europe. Dominic wasn’t sure that expending all this energy on art while people were suffering was justified. Cecelia was an innocent young woman who became the mistress of a rich and powerful man to give herself a chance a t a decent life. Leonardo was an inventor who had to paint portraits to keep the patronage of the men that supported him so he could follow his dreams.
It was an amazing saga. Yet another glimpse into Word War II and the damage the Nazis wrought. Cecelia was Morelli’s nod to the time in history which has always been her primary topic and it melded into the whole beautifully. It was such an emotional time and Morelli gets it right. Dominic with his fears and his attacks of conscience are typical of man American, and Allied soldiers who were part of the liberation. Edith, who was not able to, at least on the surface, do what she knew was right is probably a portrait of many of the people who were forced to tow the line under the Nazi regime. It was a wonderful book, one worthy of a read.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Night Portrait by William Morrow, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #williammorrow #thenightportrait
Morelli crafts a riveting time-slip that breathes life into the heroic Monument Men. This novel in engaging from the opening scene until the end.
Recommend to readers who enjoy time-slip novels.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. I’ve expressed my honest opinion.
Enchanting
Fascinating story!
great read
This was a most interesting book with several time sequences for the various main characters. While it focused on WWII, the primary focus was the confiscation and the rescue of the priceless pieces of art. Thoroughly enjoyed the story line and what I learned about saving artwork. Highly recommend.
A great dual compilation of the time of Leonardo da Vinci and his work and the tragic times of WWII and art confiscation by the Nazi’s. Very informative and historical.
Loved the dual timelines and storylines of this book, both of them equally interesting. Brilliantly written, especially how the author wove the two stories together. Will be checking into other books by this author as well as re-watching the Monuments Men movie!
Loved this book!
Well written story of how the master’s art work was saved during Hitler’s reign. How many sacrificed their lives for these works of art. This is a little known story from the events of WW2.
A nice retelling of a story previously shared in print and on film. The author uses flashbacks and fast-forwards with each chapter to good effect. The writing is unfortunately derivative which leaves the effort in reading desultory.
This may be the best book of 2020. A cautionary tale.