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The Night Portrait
USA Today Bestseller
"This is a truly original novel that has earned its place among my favorite works of historical fiction."--Jennifer Robson, USA Today bestselling author of The Gown
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. 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 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.
"This is a truly original novel that has earned its place among my favorite works of historical fiction."--Jennifer Robson, USA Today bestselling author of The Gown
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. 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 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.
460 pages, ebook
First published September 8, 2020
About the author
Laura Morelli
28 books867 followersThe first time I visited Venice as a wide-eyed teenager, I knew I was supposed to buy Murano glass, but I had no idea why.
All I knew was that I was whisked to the famous “glass island” on an overcrowded, stinky boat. I waited behind two dozen American and Japanese tourists to pay an exorbitant price for a little glass fish—what a bewildering experience!
Still, it was the artistic traditions of the world that inspired me to study the past. Living in Europe and Latin America, I realized that in many places, centuries-old craft traditions are still living traditions.
So began my quest to discover craftspeople passing on a special kind of knowledge to the next generation.
__________________________________________________
Laura Morelli holds a a Ph.D. in art history from Yale University. Her books include Made in Italy, Made in France, and Made in the Southwest, which lead travelers to some of the world’s most authentic experiences. She has written for many national publications including USA Today and the New York Daily News, and has authored a column for National Geographic Traveler online called “The Genuine Article.” She has taught at Trinity College in Rome, Tufts University, Northeastern University, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and has spoken to public audiences across the U.S. and Europe.
All I knew was that I was whisked to the famous “glass island” on an overcrowded, stinky boat. I waited behind two dozen American and Japanese tourists to pay an exorbitant price for a little glass fish—what a bewildering experience!
Still, it was the artistic traditions of the world that inspired me to study the past. Living in Europe and Latin America, I realized that in many places, centuries-old craft traditions are still living traditions.
So began my quest to discover craftspeople passing on a special kind of knowledge to the next generation.
__________________________________________________
Laura Morelli holds a a Ph.D. in art history from Yale University. Her books include Made in Italy, Made in France, and Made in the Southwest, which lead travelers to some of the world’s most authentic experiences. She has written for many national publications including USA Today and the New York Daily News, and has authored a column for National Geographic Traveler online called “The Genuine Article.” She has taught at Trinity College in Rome, Tufts University, Northeastern University, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and has spoken to public audiences across the U.S. and Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,128 reviews
December 28, 2020
A centerpiece in this novel, a painting by Leonardo da Vinci is almost a character itself in this fantastic work of historical fiction. “Lady With an Ermine” today hangs in the National Museum in Krakow, has had an interesting journey. You can see it here: https://www.leonardodavinci.net/lady-... . This is a novel, but it is based in part on the true story of how the painting was stolen by the Nazis and found . This is not just about the painting, though, but about four main characters, whose lives are touched and connected by it. It’s about the horrific time of the Holocaust that wasn’t ignored, even with the emphasis on the art.
Leonardo da Vinci is summoned in 1489 from Florence to Milan to paint a portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, the young mistress of the Duke of Milan. Cecilia’s story is the focus of another narrative and of course the two connect. In another time frame during WWII, we are introduced to Edith Becker, an art conservator in Munich in 1939 whose life is upended when she is ordered by the Nazis to go to occupied Poland and assist the Nazis with “preserving works of art “, their description for stealing art works from Jews , who are sent off to the concentration camps . In Normandy 1944, an American soldier, Dominic Bonelli is sent on a mission to protect those trying to save the art , the Monuments Men when his knowledge and love of art is discovered. Connections between the time frames is sometimes emphasized by duplication of phrases, sentences at the end of one chapter, repeated at the beginning of another tying the characters together in ways I had not thought of. One might call the mechanism clever. I’d say it was brilliant and the narratives move seamlessly back and forth among the four in different places and different times.
This is such a well written story that held my interest on every page, with characters that are all so captivating. I couldn’t wait to see what would become of them. One might question the importance of lost art , when thinking of so many lost lives, and both Edith and Dominic question it themselves, but it is another piece of lives stolen. I highly recommended this to fans of historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book WilliamMorrow/HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
Leonardo da Vinci is summoned in 1489 from Florence to Milan to paint a portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, the young mistress of the Duke of Milan. Cecilia’s story is the focus of another narrative and of course the two connect. In another time frame during WWII, we are introduced to Edith Becker, an art conservator in Munich in 1939 whose life is upended when she is ordered by the Nazis to go to occupied Poland and assist the Nazis with “preserving works of art “, their description for stealing art works from Jews , who are sent off to the concentration camps . In Normandy 1944, an American soldier, Dominic Bonelli is sent on a mission to protect those trying to save the art , the Monuments Men when his knowledge and love of art is discovered. Connections between the time frames is sometimes emphasized by duplication of phrases, sentences at the end of one chapter, repeated at the beginning of another tying the characters together in ways I had not thought of. One might call the mechanism clever. I’d say it was brilliant and the narratives move seamlessly back and forth among the four in different places and different times.
This is such a well written story that held my interest on every page, with characters that are all so captivating. I couldn’t wait to see what would become of them. One might question the importance of lost art , when thinking of so many lost lives, and both Edith and Dominic question it themselves, but it is another piece of lives stolen. I highly recommended this to fans of historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book WilliamMorrow/HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
September 23, 2020
"The Night Portrait: A Novel of WWII and da Vinci's Italy" by Laura Morelli is amazing!
How do you write historical fiction blending Leonardo da Vinci, one of his most famous paintings, a German Art Conservator and the WWII Nazi Invasion of Europe? All I can say is ask Laura Morelli because she did it and the proof is in this book!
The four main characters are introduced to the reader via alternating chapters in the third person of Cecilia, Edith and Dominic and in the first person voice of Leonardo da Vinci. The famous and priceless da Vinci painting 'The Lady with an Ermine' is the common thread and what links all of them together throughout this beautifully written story.
In 1490's Milan, Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned by the Duke of Milan to paint the portrait of his 16 year old mistress, Cecilia Gallerani. Centuries later, in World War II Poland, Art Conservator, Edith Becker gives this priceless Italian Renaissance portrait to a high ranking Nazi leader. Immediately regretting this action, Edith decides she must do all she can to get it back along with all the stolen art pieces she is responsible for photographing and cataloging during her wartime assignment. In Germany, an American soldier, Private Dominic Bonelli is assigned to a squadron of Monument Men tracking down the hidden locations where the Nazi's have stored the stolen art.
Through the chapters of Edith and Dominic, this book tells a different perspective of the horrors of WWII. The Nazi's systematic looting of famous works of art - priceless paintings, sculptures, drawings, religious relics and cultural artifacts from Europe's museums, churches, universities and private collections. What occurred was the greatest organized theft in history! The catalyst none other than Hitler himself!
Through the chapters of Leonardo and Cecilia, this book gives the depth of the relationship that quickly develops between the painter and his young and striking model. He worries for her naivete, his words are touching and his concerns real. The world knows Leonardo da Vinci as a Master Painter of beautiful works of art. This book shares that he was also an engineer, an inventor, a visionary and the genius he truly was! Laura Morelli also portrays him as a devoted and caring friend.
I loved this book for it's fully developed main characters. Each of their back-stories was a joy to read. The history, from centuries apart, was well researched and informative. The connection between the two timelines was brought together skillfully and beautifully. I loved reading it, I loved writing about it and, I'll say it again, I loved this book. I'll keep telling people about it because that's what a 5 star book does to you.
I highly recommend this book!
__________________________________
Thank you Goodreads, William Morrow and Harper Collins Publishers for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. This is my honest review.
How do you write historical fiction blending Leonardo da Vinci, one of his most famous paintings, a German Art Conservator and the WWII Nazi Invasion of Europe? All I can say is ask Laura Morelli because she did it and the proof is in this book!
The four main characters are introduced to the reader via alternating chapters in the third person of Cecilia, Edith and Dominic and in the first person voice of Leonardo da Vinci. The famous and priceless da Vinci painting 'The Lady with an Ermine' is the common thread and what links all of them together throughout this beautifully written story.
In 1490's Milan, Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned by the Duke of Milan to paint the portrait of his 16 year old mistress, Cecilia Gallerani. Centuries later, in World War II Poland, Art Conservator, Edith Becker gives this priceless Italian Renaissance portrait to a high ranking Nazi leader. Immediately regretting this action, Edith decides she must do all she can to get it back along with all the stolen art pieces she is responsible for photographing and cataloging during her wartime assignment. In Germany, an American soldier, Private Dominic Bonelli is assigned to a squadron of Monument Men tracking down the hidden locations where the Nazi's have stored the stolen art.
Through the chapters of Edith and Dominic, this book tells a different perspective of the horrors of WWII. The Nazi's systematic looting of famous works of art - priceless paintings, sculptures, drawings, religious relics and cultural artifacts from Europe's museums, churches, universities and private collections. What occurred was the greatest organized theft in history! The catalyst none other than Hitler himself!
Through the chapters of Leonardo and Cecilia, this book gives the depth of the relationship that quickly develops between the painter and his young and striking model. He worries for her naivete, his words are touching and his concerns real. The world knows Leonardo da Vinci as a Master Painter of beautiful works of art. This book shares that he was also an engineer, an inventor, a visionary and the genius he truly was! Laura Morelli also portrays him as a devoted and caring friend.
I loved this book for it's fully developed main characters. Each of their back-stories was a joy to read. The history, from centuries apart, was well researched and informative. The connection between the two timelines was brought together skillfully and beautifully. I loved reading it, I loved writing about it and, I'll say it again, I loved this book. I'll keep telling people about it because that's what a 5 star book does to you.
I highly recommend this book!
__________________________________
Thank you Goodreads, William Morrow and Harper Collins Publishers for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. This is my honest review.
September 3, 2020
Fans of historical fiction will enjoy The Night Portrait. The book is set during WWII and also in the late 15th century in Renaissance Italy. It starts with Leonard da Vinci who is preparing to leave Florence and pursue opportunities in the Duchy of Milan. Da Vinci’s head is filled with ideas for great machinery and inventions yet he knows it is his paintings that will sustain him. He goes to work for Ludovico Sforza, the Regent of Milan, who has taken young and beautiful Cecilia Gallerani as his mistress. He commissions a portrait of the sixteen year old. While trying to add an interesting element to the portrait, Da Vinci decides to paint Cecilia holding an ermine.
When the storyline takes us to Munich in 1939, the now famous masterpiece Lady with an Ermine, along with two other treasures owned by a Polish family, is stolen by the Nazis. A massive looting of artwork is underway and Edith Becker, an art conservator, is instructed to help identify the best pieces for Hitler and the high-ranking SS officers. She especially loves Lady with an Ermine and hates her role in this despicable effort. In 1945, we meet Dominic Bonelli, an American GI who is part of the group entitled the “Monuments Men,” charged with rescuing the stolen art and artifacts and returning them to their rightful owners.
The Night Portrait is a work of fiction, yet the story of the painting by Leonard da Vinci and its theft during WWII is true. Author Laura Morelli does an excellent job moving from one period to the next. The opulence of the Renaissance period was well juxtaposed with the death and destruction during WWII. This is not your typical WWII book as we get to experience the creation of an incredible masterpiece painted over 500 years ago. And how only 75 years ago, centuries of great art, including Lady with an Ermine, were almost lost forever.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the opportunity to read this captivating book in advance of its September 8, 2020 release.
Rated 4.25 stars.
A mark of a good book is the desire to keep learning more about what you have just read. If you read and enjoy The Night Portrait, I recommend watching:
-The Monuments Men, 2014 film starring George Clooney and Matt Damon, now streaming online.
-BBC News: Lady with an Ermine, on YouTube.
-Sotheby’s: Leonardo da Vinci’s The Lady with an Ermine, a Beguiling Portrait of Elegant Mystique, on YouTube.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
When the storyline takes us to Munich in 1939, the now famous masterpiece Lady with an Ermine, along with two other treasures owned by a Polish family, is stolen by the Nazis. A massive looting of artwork is underway and Edith Becker, an art conservator, is instructed to help identify the best pieces for Hitler and the high-ranking SS officers. She especially loves Lady with an Ermine and hates her role in this despicable effort. In 1945, we meet Dominic Bonelli, an American GI who is part of the group entitled the “Monuments Men,” charged with rescuing the stolen art and artifacts and returning them to their rightful owners.
The Night Portrait is a work of fiction, yet the story of the painting by Leonard da Vinci and its theft during WWII is true. Author Laura Morelli does an excellent job moving from one period to the next. The opulence of the Renaissance period was well juxtaposed with the death and destruction during WWII. This is not your typical WWII book as we get to experience the creation of an incredible masterpiece painted over 500 years ago. And how only 75 years ago, centuries of great art, including Lady with an Ermine, were almost lost forever.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the opportunity to read this captivating book in advance of its September 8, 2020 release.
Rated 4.25 stars.
A mark of a good book is the desire to keep learning more about what you have just read. If you read and enjoy The Night Portrait, I recommend watching:
-The Monuments Men, 2014 film starring George Clooney and Matt Damon, now streaming online.
-BBC News: Lady with an Ermine, on YouTube.
-Sotheby’s: Leonardo da Vinci’s The Lady with an Ermine, a Beguiling Portrait of Elegant Mystique, on YouTube.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
May 3, 2021
Under synopsis, there should be a warning: FOUR POVs, don’t sell it as a dual timeline, because it’s misleading.
Florence, 1476. Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned to paint a merchant’s daughter and later travels to Milan for another commission.
Milan, 1489. After Cecilia Gallerani’s father’s death her brothers squander the family money. She is almost forced to join a cloistered life against her wishes, but someone comes to her rescue.
Munich, 1939. Edith works as a conservator where at first she doesn’t understand who and why is taking such great interest in Czartoryski’s family art collection which includes Raphael’s Portrait of a Young Man and Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine. Once she understands what Nazi leaders are doing, she tries to rescue the art collection of incalculable value.
France, 1944. Young American soldier arrives in Normandy to make a difference.
The chapters, especially those two POVs set in the 15th century, are very short which usually I don’t mind, but here it creates characters that don’t gain any dimension. Not only that, the way one chapter ends and another begins, it feels choppy. And this is a period that I love and I was so looking forward to reading this part of the book, but it just didn’t work for me.
I don’t know if I’m over burned with those WWII stories and I can’t stay engaged with them anymore or if it’s the choppy writing that makes it feel like there is a questionable connection among those chapters. I know there is a connection in the whole picture, but the way it’s written it feels like it’s geared toward making it a thriller rather than building a good connection with well-developed characters.
The premise of the book is very interesting and the author sheds light on an amazing collection of art of Czartoryski family, but the writing doesn’t have a good flow and it’s missing a depth.
P.S. Highly recommend The Gondola Maker by this author.
Florence, 1476. Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned to paint a merchant’s daughter and later travels to Milan for another commission.
Milan, 1489. After Cecilia Gallerani’s father’s death her brothers squander the family money. She is almost forced to join a cloistered life against her wishes, but someone comes to her rescue.
Munich, 1939. Edith works as a conservator where at first she doesn’t understand who and why is taking such great interest in Czartoryski’s family art collection which includes Raphael’s Portrait of a Young Man and Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine. Once she understands what Nazi leaders are doing, she tries to rescue the art collection of incalculable value.
France, 1944. Young American soldier arrives in Normandy to make a difference.
The chapters, especially those two POVs set in the 15th century, are very short which usually I don’t mind, but here it creates characters that don’t gain any dimension. Not only that, the way one chapter ends and another begins, it feels choppy. And this is a period that I love and I was so looking forward to reading this part of the book, but it just didn’t work for me.
I don’t know if I’m over burned with those WWII stories and I can’t stay engaged with them anymore or if it’s the choppy writing that makes it feel like there is a questionable connection among those chapters. I know there is a connection in the whole picture, but the way it’s written it feels like it’s geared toward making it a thriller rather than building a good connection with well-developed characters.
The premise of the book is very interesting and the author sheds light on an amazing collection of art of Czartoryski family, but the writing doesn’t have a good flow and it’s missing a depth.
P.S. Highly recommend The Gondola Maker by this author.
December 7, 2020
I was apprehensive to read this book because I know too much about this era/issue in history. I teach an art crime class in which we spend weeks discussing the fate of art during World War II. Alas, me knowing too much was not problem with this book - because I don't think the reader will learn that much about the Monuments Men.
My first issue with this book is the amount of perspectives in it: four. This is too many: Cecilia and Leonardo da Vinci in late 15th century Milan, Dominic in late WWII Europe, and Edith in early WWII Germany and Poland. There were just too many points of view and they only were tenuously connected. Edith is an art conservator in a Munich museum who is ordered to go to Poland to secure artworks for Hitler's supermuseum in Linz. She is entranced by Leonardo's LADY WITH AN ERMINE, which she tries to safeguard. Dominic is in the Allied army and eventually helps with the MFAA program. Dominic and Edith's paths cross very briefly at the end of the war (and the book). In the 15th century, Cecilia is a mistress of an Italian count and Leonardo paints her portrait (this will be LADY WITH AN ERMINE). There's no connection with the WWII story here except that Edith is obsessed with the painting. It felt like four books in one. Where was the editor in all of this?
Another issue I had is that this book has ADD, like a James Patterson book. Chapters were often only 2-3 pages long. Then you would move onto another side of the story. This kept taking me out of every part of the story and I felt like I couldn't get into any of the four storylines. It made me annoyed.
And then there were the characters and the storyline. The characters were two-dimensional and needed to be fleshed out. I didn't buy the character development of Dominic, who at the beginning kept saying that you shouldn't risk human life to save art. Then all of a sudden he "got it" and he understood why art was worth saving. You also don't really learn much about Leonardo, Milan, or 15th century Italy.
And then there are a couple of minor things that bugged me. First, Morelli kept referring to Leonardo as da Vinci. As a PhD graduate student in art history, one of my professors told me you don't call him da Vinci - just call him Leonardo. No one ever told Morelli that. And then there's the stupid, meaningless title, THE NIGHT PORTRAIT. What the hell does that have to do anything? The portrait isn't at night, has nothing to do with the night, and Morelli doesn't even address the meaning of the title within the book. It's like the author and editor had a brainstorming session and decided, "Ooooo - this is a great title that will hook readers and make them buy the book." But the title has absolutely no connection to the book itself.
Finally, I was afraid to read this because I'm writing my own historical fiction novel that takes place in WWII and is about the Monuments Men. But now I'm glad I read THE NIGHT PORTRAIT because there really aren't any similarities with the book I'm writing (if I can ever finish it).
My first issue with this book is the amount of perspectives in it: four. This is too many: Cecilia and Leonardo da Vinci in late 15th century Milan, Dominic in late WWII Europe, and Edith in early WWII Germany and Poland. There were just too many points of view and they only were tenuously connected. Edith is an art conservator in a Munich museum who is ordered to go to Poland to secure artworks for Hitler's supermuseum in Linz. She is entranced by Leonardo's LADY WITH AN ERMINE, which she tries to safeguard. Dominic is in the Allied army and eventually helps with the MFAA program. Dominic and Edith's paths cross very briefly at the end of the war (and the book). In the 15th century, Cecilia is a mistress of an Italian count and Leonardo paints her portrait (this will be LADY WITH AN ERMINE). There's no connection with the WWII story here except that Edith is obsessed with the painting. It felt like four books in one. Where was the editor in all of this?
Another issue I had is that this book has ADD, like a James Patterson book. Chapters were often only 2-3 pages long. Then you would move onto another side of the story. This kept taking me out of every part of the story and I felt like I couldn't get into any of the four storylines. It made me annoyed.
And then there were the characters and the storyline. The characters were two-dimensional and needed to be fleshed out. I didn't buy the character development of Dominic, who at the beginning kept saying that you shouldn't risk human life to save art. Then all of a sudden he "got it" and he understood why art was worth saving. You also don't really learn much about Leonardo, Milan, or 15th century Italy.
And then there are a couple of minor things that bugged me. First, Morelli kept referring to Leonardo as da Vinci. As a PhD graduate student in art history, one of my professors told me you don't call him da Vinci - just call him Leonardo. No one ever told Morelli that. And then there's the stupid, meaningless title, THE NIGHT PORTRAIT. What the hell does that have to do anything? The portrait isn't at night, has nothing to do with the night, and Morelli doesn't even address the meaning of the title within the book. It's like the author and editor had a brainstorming session and decided, "Ooooo - this is a great title that will hook readers and make them buy the book." But the title has absolutely no connection to the book itself.
Finally, I was afraid to read this because I'm writing my own historical fiction novel that takes place in WWII and is about the Monuments Men. But now I'm glad I read THE NIGHT PORTRAIT because there really aren't any similarities with the book I'm writing (if I can ever finish it).
November 1, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
A compelling historical fiction, The Night Portrait as the title suggests is set into historical timelines; Da Vinci's Italy( 1490's) and World War II and surrounds the creation of the artist's painting Portrait of a Lady with Ermine. In the former, we have the young Cecilia who rises up to the height of a nobleman's mistress and still desires to climb higher. But Cecilia's family, servants, and the famous artist himself( who also has chapters from his p.o.v.) all warn her to be careful where she treads. In the latter, we have a German art expert on the Italian Renaissance, Edith and American Soldier Dominic who witness the Nazi confiscation of art and a group called the Monument Men who fight to get it all back.
Juggling four different perspectives and two historical timelines cannot have been easy, but Laura Morelli makes it look easy as she weaves historical records and art history into a fascinating tale. I enjoyed all the characters and in this novel, it was hard to pick a favourite. I also enjoyed the author's insights which are located at the end of the novel and educate the reader on both the history and the process of bringing this novel to light. Whether you are an art enthusiast or a historical fiction fan, this is one novel that you will want to put on your TBR.
Goodreads review 01/11/20
Publication 25/09/20
A compelling historical fiction, The Night Portrait as the title suggests is set into historical timelines; Da Vinci's Italy( 1490's) and World War II and surrounds the creation of the artist's painting Portrait of a Lady with Ermine. In the former, we have the young Cecilia who rises up to the height of a nobleman's mistress and still desires to climb higher. But Cecilia's family, servants, and the famous artist himself( who also has chapters from his p.o.v.) all warn her to be careful where she treads. In the latter, we have a German art expert on the Italian Renaissance, Edith and American Soldier Dominic who witness the Nazi confiscation of art and a group called the Monument Men who fight to get it all back.
Juggling four different perspectives and two historical timelines cannot have been easy, but Laura Morelli makes it look easy as she weaves historical records and art history into a fascinating tale. I enjoyed all the characters and in this novel, it was hard to pick a favourite. I also enjoyed the author's insights which are located at the end of the novel and educate the reader on both the history and the process of bringing this novel to light. Whether you are an art enthusiast or a historical fiction fan, this is one novel that you will want to put on your TBR.
Goodreads review 01/11/20
Publication 25/09/20
September 13, 2020
"The Night Portrait" is a dual-narrative historical fiction of two women set in both the time of Renaissance Italy and in 1940s Europe during the height of World War II's messy ending. The narrative has a lot of twists and turns and kept me on my toes with the connection between Cecilia and Edith over 500 years. This book was a treat!
In Renaissance Italy, Cecilia is a beautiful girl trying to change her fate from that of a nobleman's mistress to that of a titled noblewoman. She is such a fascinating character. At 16, she is wise beyond her years and understands how the game of climbing the social ladder must be played. I loved following her as she figures out ways to ensure that she continues moving ever forward with her plans. She fully recognizes just how little control she has over her fate as a young woman but is doing everything she can think to ensure she achieves her goal, including getting her portrait done by Michaelangelo who may have the recipe to keep her in mind and in view for centuries to come.
In the 1940s, Edith is an art conservator called into service to "rescue" paintings in Poland and send them back to the Motherland of Nazi Germany. Edith knows how to survive but she also knows that what she is being asked to do isn't right and that she needs to find her way to fight the injustice of helping to steal paintings while still being able to survive. She is super brave in the face of the risk of what will happen to her if her plans are discovered! She finds herself working with the infamous Monuments Men in a race against time to protect as many paintings as she can, including a strange one of a young woman holding a very odd pet.
This book had so much going for it. Not only were the main characters good but the secondary characters were wonderful as well! I loved the taste of Michaelangelo that we get: a man who dreams of creating war machines but just hasn't gained ground. Dominic dreams of going home to the United States but realizes how much there is at stake in the last days of World War II.
I really enjoyed all of the historical detail as well! You get a good taste of both the Renaissance Italy and the World War II era Europe. I loved how the world building was so well woven into the narrative that you can very much picture what the characters are going through without the narrative ever feeling like a major information dump.
This book is a treat for my fellow historical fiction lovers who want a fully engaging read about some amazing art and memorable characters!
In Renaissance Italy, Cecilia is a beautiful girl trying to change her fate from that of a nobleman's mistress to that of a titled noblewoman. She is such a fascinating character. At 16, she is wise beyond her years and understands how the game of climbing the social ladder must be played. I loved following her as she figures out ways to ensure that she continues moving ever forward with her plans. She fully recognizes just how little control she has over her fate as a young woman but is doing everything she can think to ensure she achieves her goal, including getting her portrait done by Michaelangelo who may have the recipe to keep her in mind and in view for centuries to come.
In the 1940s, Edith is an art conservator called into service to "rescue" paintings in Poland and send them back to the Motherland of Nazi Germany. Edith knows how to survive but she also knows that what she is being asked to do isn't right and that she needs to find her way to fight the injustice of helping to steal paintings while still being able to survive. She is super brave in the face of the risk of what will happen to her if her plans are discovered! She finds herself working with the infamous Monuments Men in a race against time to protect as many paintings as she can, including a strange one of a young woman holding a very odd pet.
This book had so much going for it. Not only were the main characters good but the secondary characters were wonderful as well! I loved the taste of Michaelangelo that we get: a man who dreams of creating war machines but just hasn't gained ground. Dominic dreams of going home to the United States but realizes how much there is at stake in the last days of World War II.
I really enjoyed all of the historical detail as well! You get a good taste of both the Renaissance Italy and the World War II era Europe. I loved how the world building was so well woven into the narrative that you can very much picture what the characters are going through without the narrative ever feeling like a major information dump.
This book is a treat for my fellow historical fiction lovers who want a fully engaging read about some amazing art and memorable characters!
March 13, 2021
3.5 STARS
Finally finished this one. I hate to say, it took me a while to get through it. It was good, but not great. I have mixed feelings about the multiple storylines going on at one time. And I'm sure it didn't help that the audiobook had 4 different narrators. It was an intriguing story, and I may have enjoyed it more, had I read the actual book myself. The writing was good, but the story skipped around making it hard for me to really connect with it until the end.
Finally finished this one. I hate to say, it took me a while to get through it. It was good, but not great. I have mixed feelings about the multiple storylines going on at one time. And I'm sure it didn't help that the audiobook had 4 different narrators. It was an intriguing story, and I may have enjoyed it more, had I read the actual book myself. The writing was good, but the story skipped around making it hard for me to really connect with it until the end.
May 13, 2024
The famous portrait Lady With an Ermine provides the tie in this book's narrative between the story of the painting's creation in the late 15th Century and the story of its being stolen by the Nazis during WWII and recovery by the Monuments Men after the war.
The book's narrative alternates between these two stories with the portrait's 15th century creation told from the view point of Leonardo da Vinci (painter) and Cecilia Gallerani (portrait's subject) and it's 20th century theft and recovery told from the perspective of Dominic Bonelli (American soldier) and Edith Becker (German art conservator). The two protagonists from the twentieth century are presumably fictional characters which as told by the book provides a pairing with the two historical characters from the 15th century.
The book roughly follows what is known about the painting's history, but there is no Author's Note at the end of the book that discusses the novel's fictional deviations from known history. I wish all historical novels would provide that information. The stories as told in this book provides a reasonably good guess at the lives and thinking to the people at the time. However, it's my observation that the book's characters seem to reflect 21st century modes of thinking rather than that of the 15th or mid-20th centuries.
The book's narrative was clear, simple, and direct in a style that reminds me of YA books. I'm not sure if it is being marketed as such, but I would recommend it as appropriate for younger readers. It might foster some interest in history.
The book's narrative alternates between these two stories with the portrait's 15th century creation told from the view point of Leonardo da Vinci (painter) and Cecilia Gallerani (portrait's subject) and it's 20th century theft and recovery told from the perspective of Dominic Bonelli (American soldier) and Edith Becker (German art conservator). The two protagonists from the twentieth century are presumably fictional characters which as told by the book provides a pairing with the two historical characters from the 15th century.
The book roughly follows what is known about the painting's history, but there is no Author's Note at the end of the book that discusses the novel's fictional deviations from known history. I wish all historical novels would provide that information. The stories as told in this book provides a reasonably good guess at the lives and thinking to the people at the time. However, it's my observation that the book's characters seem to reflect 21st century modes of thinking rather than that of the 15th or mid-20th centuries.
The book's narrative was clear, simple, and direct in a style that reminds me of YA books. I'm not sure if it is being marketed as such, but I would recommend it as appropriate for younger readers. It might foster some interest in history.
October 26, 2020
THE NIGHT PORTRAIT is set in a dual timeline ranging from 1492, Milan, to Munich during WWII.
We meet Cecilia Gallerani who is the woman in Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous portrait Lady with An Ermine. We follow her life as the mistress of Ludovico il Moro. It isn’t a life I would have wanted to live.
We then meet American soldiers who are helping the Monuments Men retrieve stolen paintings and Edith Becker a German art expert ordered by the Reich to find the most valuable paintings that were hidden by families that were forced to evacuate.
These stolen paintings were to become part of a private collection of German officers.
Edith wanted to protect the art at all costs, but she also had to protect herself.
This book is an extremely well written history lesson and interesting to me because of the art as well as WWII.
Ms. Morelli’s marvelous research and telling of the events in both timelines had me looking up more information on Leonardo Da Vinci, the German officers, the Monuments Men, and Cecilia Gallerani.
Ms. Morelli’s writing style and descriptions brought the characters and situations to life.
Historical fiction fans and art connoisseurs will not want to miss this book.
THE NIGHT PORTRAIT is superb and a work of art in itself.
It is a beautiful tribute to artists of the world and to those who fought to preserve it.
You will be shedding tears of joy as well as sadness as you read this phenomenal book. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
We meet Cecilia Gallerani who is the woman in Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous portrait Lady with An Ermine. We follow her life as the mistress of Ludovico il Moro. It isn’t a life I would have wanted to live.
We then meet American soldiers who are helping the Monuments Men retrieve stolen paintings and Edith Becker a German art expert ordered by the Reich to find the most valuable paintings that were hidden by families that were forced to evacuate.
These stolen paintings were to become part of a private collection of German officers.
Edith wanted to protect the art at all costs, but she also had to protect herself.
This book is an extremely well written history lesson and interesting to me because of the art as well as WWII.
Ms. Morelli’s marvelous research and telling of the events in both timelines had me looking up more information on Leonardo Da Vinci, the German officers, the Monuments Men, and Cecilia Gallerani.
Ms. Morelli’s writing style and descriptions brought the characters and situations to life.
Historical fiction fans and art connoisseurs will not want to miss this book.
THE NIGHT PORTRAIT is superb and a work of art in itself.
It is a beautiful tribute to artists of the world and to those who fought to preserve it.
You will be shedding tears of joy as well as sadness as you read this phenomenal book. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2020
This book is slow. It does not live up to the description which I certainly found interesting.
It felt like two different books in one: Leonardo/Cecilia (1400’s) and Edith/Dominic (1944/45 – WWII).
The meeting between Dominic and Edith is beyond any possible coincidence.
There are characters mentioned for a moment but had no real connection or reason to be in the story at all. Edith’s father and fiancé. Dominic’s wife and daughter – except that Dominic’s daughter is named Cecelia (weird coincidence?).
I think the author could not decide whose story to tell so she just put them all together, unfortunately it did not work for me.
Why is the book’s title “The Night Portrait”? It has nothing to do with anything in the book.
It felt like two different books in one: Leonardo/Cecilia (1400’s) and Edith/Dominic (1944/45 – WWII).
The meeting between Dominic and Edith is beyond any possible coincidence.
There are characters mentioned for a moment but had no real connection or reason to be in the story at all. Edith’s father and fiancé. Dominic’s wife and daughter – except that Dominic’s daughter is named Cecelia (weird coincidence?).
I think the author could not decide whose story to tell so she just put them all together, unfortunately it did not work for me.
Why is the book’s title “The Night Portrait”? It has nothing to do with anything in the book.
February 15, 2021
I did find this book slightly difficult to rate and ended up with 3.5 rounded down to 3. I did enjoy it and I think most people who like WWII historical fiction would like it too. Whilst we do go back in time to Milan, the book mainly centres on the various pieces of art that the Germans stole and hid and the efforts of the allies to recover the art works. We have two timelines and four main characters: in WWII we meet Edith, a German art conservation expert who feels that stealing the art is morally wrong and Dominic, an American soldier who is assigned to one of the teams attempting to recover the works. The other timeline goes way back to Milan in 1490 with Leonardo da Vinci and Cecilia Gallerani, the woman from his famous painting Lady with an Ermine, the other two characters. What an ambitious and courageous thing to do, making da Vinci one of the characters and exploring late 15th century Milan and how Cecilia came to be the mistress of the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, and posed for the picture.
I think this book is quite well written and it held my interest throughout. But when I reflected on it, one reason my rating wasn't higher was the 1490 timeline with da Vinci and Cecilia didn’t actually work that well for me. I feel it would have been a much stronger book if the author stuck to just WWII and developed the Edith and Dominic characters more fully and explored the story of the stolen art works in more depth. One other thing I found a little annoying was the brief time we get to spend with any given character and timeline. We get four pages with Edith in 1939 then two pages with da Vinci in 1490, then three pages with Dominic in 1943, then five pages with Cecilia in 1490, back to Dominic for three pages, back to Cecilia for two pages and so on. I just wanted to stay with one character and one timeline for a decent amount of time. Don’t be put off by my review, I recommend you read some other reviews as there are plenty of people rating this very highly.
I think this book is quite well written and it held my interest throughout. But when I reflected on it, one reason my rating wasn't higher was the 1490 timeline with da Vinci and Cecilia didn’t actually work that well for me. I feel it would have been a much stronger book if the author stuck to just WWII and developed the Edith and Dominic characters more fully and explored the story of the stolen art works in more depth. One other thing I found a little annoying was the brief time we get to spend with any given character and timeline. We get four pages with Edith in 1939 then two pages with da Vinci in 1490, then three pages with Dominic in 1943, then five pages with Cecilia in 1490, back to Dominic for three pages, back to Cecilia for two pages and so on. I just wanted to stay with one character and one timeline for a decent amount of time. Don’t be put off by my review, I recommend you read some other reviews as there are plenty of people rating this very highly.
September 21, 2020
The book switches between Milan in the 1490’s and Munich during WWII. The Milan chapters describing the Duke of Milan’s mistress, Cecilia, were the most fascinating to me. I was captivated by Cecilia’s story, a 16 year old who becomes a mistress to the Duke of Milan. Add to this the imagined interactions between Cecilia and da Vinci and you have a stellar historical fiction novel.
The WWII chapters mainly center around Edith, who is an art conservator who unwittingly brings Portrait of a Lady with an Ermine to a high-ranking Nazi leader. Edith and others, including the Monuments Men, risk their lives to save it.
I don’t know much about art. However I really enjoy reading about famous paintings and the art world. I liked to imagine that the sitter for the very unique portrait was Cecilia, the young mistress of the Duke of Milan. When I first saw the painting on a television show I thought the white animal in her hands was a cat, then a dog, and then learned it was an ermine. What a unique animal to choose for a portrait!
I read the book and saw the movie about the Monuments Men and was fascinated. The Monuments Men in this book are seen through the eyes of of a soldier who was protecting the officers on their quest to uncover stolen art. Dominic’s story was interesting and added depth to what I already knew about the Monuments Men.
The book was dense and filled with facts and rich detail. about the war, da Vinci, and Milan in the 1490’s. Because of this, I especially appreciated that the chapters were short and easy to digest. There aren’t any Author’s Notes that go in depth into the background research, which I’m sure was extensive, there is a bit of background in the Acknowledgements.
I thoroughly enjoyed this dual-timeline historical fiction with its glimpse into WWII and da Vinci’s Portrait of a Lady with an Ermine.
Thank you author Laura Morelli for gifting me this exciting historical fiction novel to read and enjoy. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
The WWII chapters mainly center around Edith, who is an art conservator who unwittingly brings Portrait of a Lady with an Ermine to a high-ranking Nazi leader. Edith and others, including the Monuments Men, risk their lives to save it.
I don’t know much about art. However I really enjoy reading about famous paintings and the art world. I liked to imagine that the sitter for the very unique portrait was Cecilia, the young mistress of the Duke of Milan. When I first saw the painting on a television show I thought the white animal in her hands was a cat, then a dog, and then learned it was an ermine. What a unique animal to choose for a portrait!
I read the book and saw the movie about the Monuments Men and was fascinated. The Monuments Men in this book are seen through the eyes of of a soldier who was protecting the officers on their quest to uncover stolen art. Dominic’s story was interesting and added depth to what I already knew about the Monuments Men.
The book was dense and filled with facts and rich detail. about the war, da Vinci, and Milan in the 1490’s. Because of this, I especially appreciated that the chapters were short and easy to digest. There aren’t any Author’s Notes that go in depth into the background research, which I’m sure was extensive, there is a bit of background in the Acknowledgements.
I thoroughly enjoyed this dual-timeline historical fiction with its glimpse into WWII and da Vinci’s Portrait of a Lady with an Ermine.
Thank you author Laura Morelli for gifting me this exciting historical fiction novel to read and enjoy. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 12, 2020
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Quite possibly the best historical novel I've read this year! Amazing in every way!
A split time level taking place in Italy in the 1490's and Germany,Poland and a slight bit of Greensburg, Pennsylvania in the 1940's.
The connection between the time periods is Leonardo Da Vichy's painting Lady with an Ermine, featuring Cecilia Gallerani, and was probably painted at a time when she was the mistress of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Milan.
For the ermine, purity is more precious than life.
Ermine, as it turns out, became linked with Western European courts due to a symbolic legend stating that an ermine would “rather die than be defiled/soiled”, as translated from the Latin, “potius mori quam foedari”. Hence its representation of royal “moral purity.”
The Night Portrait follows the life of Cecilia Gallerani, the beautiful mistress of the Duke of Milan as she grows and matures from a naive teen to a grown woman with Lodovico Sforza's child and she will do anything to protect and nurture this child.
Art conservator Edith Becker is tasked with the dangerous job of finding this painting and handing it over to Hans Frank – the Butcher of Poland.
"Between 1939 and 1943, the Nazis 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…"
Taking place during world war 2 this is different than any type of war book I've read. Truly an original master piece .
A must read for lovers of history. You will learn a lot from this book.
I am truly impressed with the research the author has put into this book and her Ph.D. in art history from Yale University is apparent in her writing!
I also found the further reading information at the back of the book highly informative!
Pub Date 25 Sep 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Quite possibly the best historical novel I've read this year! Amazing in every way!
A split time level taking place in Italy in the 1490's and Germany,Poland and a slight bit of Greensburg, Pennsylvania in the 1940's.
The connection between the time periods is Leonardo Da Vichy's painting Lady with an Ermine, featuring Cecilia Gallerani, and was probably painted at a time when she was the mistress of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Milan.
For the ermine, purity is more precious than life.
Ermine, as it turns out, became linked with Western European courts due to a symbolic legend stating that an ermine would “rather die than be defiled/soiled”, as translated from the Latin, “potius mori quam foedari”. Hence its representation of royal “moral purity.”
The Night Portrait follows the life of Cecilia Gallerani, the beautiful mistress of the Duke of Milan as she grows and matures from a naive teen to a grown woman with Lodovico Sforza's child and she will do anything to protect and nurture this child.
Art conservator Edith Becker is tasked with the dangerous job of finding this painting and handing it over to Hans Frank – the Butcher of Poland.
"Between 1939 and 1943, the Nazis 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…"
Taking place during world war 2 this is different than any type of war book I've read. Truly an original master piece .
A must read for lovers of history. You will learn a lot from this book.
I am truly impressed with the research the author has put into this book and her Ph.D. in art history from Yale University is apparent in her writing!
I also found the further reading information at the back of the book highly informative!
Pub Date 25 Sep 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
May 28, 2020
Laura Morelli’s The Night Portrait is simply a masterpiece. Morelli imagines a sophisticated plot, fleshes it out with historically significant characters, and spins it into a truly spectacular read. Rarely have I been so caught up in a book as I was with this unforgettable tale of bravery and love, hope and redemption. Fans of Kristin Hannah’s Nightingale and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See will delight in this epic novel.
September 21, 2020
My last read of summer 2020 and definitely THE BEST READ OF THE SUMMER! I love historical fiction, especially about the Italian Renaissance, and this was written by my favourite author, Laura Morelli! I love to learn while I read and this author makes sure this happens. I love that Morelli has email updates that correspond closely to her book, is active on social media regarding questions and answers, and that she offers courses and makes sure readers get the most out of the experience.
This dual timeline account is focussed on the creation and preservation of Leonardo DaVinci's painting, The Woman With An Ermine. Morelli expertly weaves the story of two strong women, 500 years apart, who are each swept up in the history of this painting. One timeline follows the true story from Leonardo getting the commission, right through to presenting it to the patron. The second timeline follows the exchange of the painting between the Germans and the Poles during WWII. Peppered in with these documented events is love, loss, mystery and suspense.
Cecilia, the Italian subject of DaVinci's painting, is desperately trying to change her fate. I loved reading about her single-minded focus in becoming a respected noblewoman and the gamble she was willing to take in her attempt to make it happen.
Edith, a German art conservator, is called to work for the Monuments Men to retrieve paintings in Poland and bring them back to Germany. She is trying to keep the balance between what is being asked of her even though she knows it isn’t right, care for her father with dementia and maintain her relationship with her new fiancé.
I love that each chapter focusses on a different person and that the last sentence of each ties in with the first sentence of the following chapter. The novel was so well crafted it was, in itself, a masterpiece.
This dual timeline account is focussed on the creation and preservation of Leonardo DaVinci's painting, The Woman With An Ermine. Morelli expertly weaves the story of two strong women, 500 years apart, who are each swept up in the history of this painting. One timeline follows the true story from Leonardo getting the commission, right through to presenting it to the patron. The second timeline follows the exchange of the painting between the Germans and the Poles during WWII. Peppered in with these documented events is love, loss, mystery and suspense.
Cecilia, the Italian subject of DaVinci's painting, is desperately trying to change her fate. I loved reading about her single-minded focus in becoming a respected noblewoman and the gamble she was willing to take in her attempt to make it happen.
Edith, a German art conservator, is called to work for the Monuments Men to retrieve paintings in Poland and bring them back to Germany. She is trying to keep the balance between what is being asked of her even though she knows it isn’t right, care for her father with dementia and maintain her relationship with her new fiancé.
I love that each chapter focusses on a different person and that the last sentence of each ties in with the first sentence of the following chapter. The novel was so well crafted it was, in itself, a masterpiece.
November 11, 2020
Five stars for the topic! I truly never thought about this aspect of WWII, even after the multitude of books I’ve read about it. However, I felt the book could have been 75 pages shorter if so much space wasn’t dedicated to repeating over and over how ashamed Edith was for being a part of confiscating the paintings....and how many times Bonelli notes that he hoped he made it home. It was just harped on too much. I also felt it was a bit cheesy to end one character’s chapter with the same sentence with which the next character’s chapter begins. I was glad the author didn’t write in a romance for Edith and Bonelli. I think I enjoyed reading the question and answer about the Monuments Men, at the back of the book, the most. I’ll give the book this....it peaked my interest in this part of WWII.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2020
Wonderful book which I won from the Goodreads giveaway program.
A book for any lover of WW2 literature which remains steadfastly true to the time. Told from four viewpoints set in different times and locales: two in the 1490's from Leonardo da Vinci, who is currently working on paintings (instead of the inventions he loves to work on!) and Cecilia Gallerani, also in Italy, who is believed the young woman in daVinci's portrait of 'Lady With an Ermine.'
And two from the 1939 thru to 1945, in Germany and Poland (mainly): Dominic Bellini, a young GI caught in the middle of the horrors of war, and Edith Becker, a young German art conservator. The chapters are short, but often compelling, no wasted words here, and each chapter tells you whose 'head' we are in, whose thoughts, whose experiences, etc.
When Edith is taken from her job to act as an archivist and 'cataloguer' of the many stolen artistic works the Nazis are taking from all over Europe, she is appalled, but does her work, if somewhat unwillingly. She witnesses some of the catastrophic changes the Nazi regime forced all over the continent, yet can do little except her job. Dominic, too, witnesses horrific events.
The story, however, centers around the portrait of 'Lady With an Ermine,' as Edith struggles to protect it, and Dominic, with others who were part of the famous 'Monument Men' works to protect those works - statues, books, holy articles, paintings, etc. - which he and the team he has been assigned to are searching for as the war winds down.
It's a great book; I had to put aside others to finish this one! Sometimes I am not so fond of historical literature - stories worked through an author's imagination, but based on real events and people. But this one was truly exceptional. The people are real and Ms Morelli truly portrayed events as close to 'real' as she could. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Five stars.
A book for any lover of WW2 literature which remains steadfastly true to the time. Told from four viewpoints set in different times and locales: two in the 1490's from Leonardo da Vinci, who is currently working on paintings (instead of the inventions he loves to work on!) and Cecilia Gallerani, also in Italy, who is believed the young woman in daVinci's portrait of 'Lady With an Ermine.'
And two from the 1939 thru to 1945, in Germany and Poland (mainly): Dominic Bellini, a young GI caught in the middle of the horrors of war, and Edith Becker, a young German art conservator. The chapters are short, but often compelling, no wasted words here, and each chapter tells you whose 'head' we are in, whose thoughts, whose experiences, etc.
When Edith is taken from her job to act as an archivist and 'cataloguer' of the many stolen artistic works the Nazis are taking from all over Europe, she is appalled, but does her work, if somewhat unwillingly. She witnesses some of the catastrophic changes the Nazi regime forced all over the continent, yet can do little except her job. Dominic, too, witnesses horrific events.
The story, however, centers around the portrait of 'Lady With an Ermine,' as Edith struggles to protect it, and Dominic, with others who were part of the famous 'Monument Men' works to protect those works - statues, books, holy articles, paintings, etc. - which he and the team he has been assigned to are searching for as the war winds down.
It's a great book; I had to put aside others to finish this one! Sometimes I am not so fond of historical literature - stories worked through an author's imagination, but based on real events and people. But this one was truly exceptional. The people are real and Ms Morelli truly portrayed events as close to 'real' as she could. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Five stars.
April 13, 2021
Every so often, a book comes into my life that delivers far beyond my expectations. I usually read a book based on its description provided by the publisher and/or author. If that does not grab me, I will not read it. Therefore most of my reviews fall in the four five star categories. THE NIGHT PORTRAIT by LAURA MORELLI falls into that category. I do not remember where I read about this exceptional book but thank goodness, I did. On a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 is a classic, this book ranks as an 11!
The story has four main characters. Two are real people and two are fictional. The historic people are Leonardo da Vinci and Cecilia Gallerani from the 1480s and 1490s. The fictional characters from the 1930s and 1940s are Edith Becker and Dominic Bonelli. The chapters alternate between the characters. Da Vinci’s story is told in the first person. The others are not first person.
This is the painting by Da Vinci called “LADY WITH AN ERMINE”. The subject is Cecilia. It is one of only four portraits of women by Da Vinci that survive today. One of the other three is the “MONA LISA” so it is in rare company. In 1798, the painting was purchased in Italy by the Polish noble family the Czartoryskis and was brought to Poland. It remained in the hands in the family until 2016 when it was sold to the Polish government as part of the family’s collection. The price for the collection was 100 million Euros. However, for a 5 or 6-year span, the painting was in the hands of Hans Frank, Nazi governor of Poland, also known as “The Butcher of Poland” for his role in the murder of 6,000,000 Polish citizens for which he was hanged after the Nuremburg trials in 1946.
Edith Becker is an art restorer at a museum in Berlin in 1939. She is pulled from her position and assigned to the project that identified great works of art to be stolen by the Nazis. Some of that art was destined for Hitler’s museum to be built in Linz Austria (never started). Other works ended up in private Nazi collections. One such work was “LADY WITH AN ERMINE”. Edith felt very personal ties to the painting. It was in the collection of Hans Frank.
Dominic is an American Military Policeman who landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day 1944. Shortly after, he is assigned to the group known as “THE MONUMENTS MEN” a team of artists and art historians given the task of preserving the art of Europe once the Allies started their liberation of the continent. That is the subject of a terrific book called THE MONUMENTS MEN by Robert Edsel. One of Dominic’s dreams was to see a painting by Da Vinci.
As mentioned, the chapters alternate between the characters’ stories. Edith has a fiancé in the German Army and a father who is besieged by his dementia. Dominic has a wife and two daughters near Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania. He is a coal miner by trade and a budding artist by choice. Da Vinci is he artist in residence at the court of the Duke of Milan. He keeps trying to convince the Duke to use his military devices but the Duke only wants Da Vinci’s artistic talents. Cecilia is the Duke’s mistress and bears him a son. She was destined for a convent after her brothers dissipated her dowry funding. The relationship between artist and subject is explored in depth.
If you love a good story, if you love to read history, if you like to read about WW II, if you are an art lover, if you want to be smarter, then I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to you. At the end of the book, the author lists several sources for further reading. There is also an interview with Robert Edsel. Another feature is a Q & A guide for book clubs.
GO! BUY! READ!
The story has four main characters. Two are real people and two are fictional. The historic people are Leonardo da Vinci and Cecilia Gallerani from the 1480s and 1490s. The fictional characters from the 1930s and 1940s are Edith Becker and Dominic Bonelli. The chapters alternate between the characters. Da Vinci’s story is told in the first person. The others are not first person.
This is the painting by Da Vinci called “LADY WITH AN ERMINE”. The subject is Cecilia. It is one of only four portraits of women by Da Vinci that survive today. One of the other three is the “MONA LISA” so it is in rare company. In 1798, the painting was purchased in Italy by the Polish noble family the Czartoryskis and was brought to Poland. It remained in the hands in the family until 2016 when it was sold to the Polish government as part of the family’s collection. The price for the collection was 100 million Euros. However, for a 5 or 6-year span, the painting was in the hands of Hans Frank, Nazi governor of Poland, also known as “The Butcher of Poland” for his role in the murder of 6,000,000 Polish citizens for which he was hanged after the Nuremburg trials in 1946.
Edith Becker is an art restorer at a museum in Berlin in 1939. She is pulled from her position and assigned to the project that identified great works of art to be stolen by the Nazis. Some of that art was destined for Hitler’s museum to be built in Linz Austria (never started). Other works ended up in private Nazi collections. One such work was “LADY WITH AN ERMINE”. Edith felt very personal ties to the painting. It was in the collection of Hans Frank.
Dominic is an American Military Policeman who landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day 1944. Shortly after, he is assigned to the group known as “THE MONUMENTS MEN” a team of artists and art historians given the task of preserving the art of Europe once the Allies started their liberation of the continent. That is the subject of a terrific book called THE MONUMENTS MEN by Robert Edsel. One of Dominic’s dreams was to see a painting by Da Vinci.
As mentioned, the chapters alternate between the characters’ stories. Edith has a fiancé in the German Army and a father who is besieged by his dementia. Dominic has a wife and two daughters near Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania. He is a coal miner by trade and a budding artist by choice. Da Vinci is he artist in residence at the court of the Duke of Milan. He keeps trying to convince the Duke to use his military devices but the Duke only wants Da Vinci’s artistic talents. Cecilia is the Duke’s mistress and bears him a son. She was destined for a convent after her brothers dissipated her dowry funding. The relationship between artist and subject is explored in depth.
If you love a good story, if you love to read history, if you like to read about WW II, if you are an art lover, if you want to be smarter, then I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to you. At the end of the book, the author lists several sources for further reading. There is also an interview with Robert Edsel. Another feature is a Q & A guide for book clubs.
GO! BUY! READ!
September 9, 2020
The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli is a beautifully written and well researched historical novel of Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting The lady with the Ermine.
Set in two timelines and several POV’s , 1490’s Milan when the portrait was painted and 1940’s Poland/ Germany where the Nazi’s stole artwork including The Lady and the Ermine so Hitler could have the finest art collection in the world.
Leonardo Da Vinci full of ideas about machinery is hired by Ludovico Sforza to paint his mistress Cecilia Gallerani who is 16 years old and wants more out of life so she becomes the mistress of the Regent or her family threatened to send her to a convent.
Then years later in Munich in 1939 Edith Becker an art conservator is instructed to collect the best pieces for SS Men and Hitler. But she hates what she is doing. She thinks that the pieces should be returned to their rightful owners. There is Dominic and American soldier helping The Moments men find the art that has been taken and deliver them back to their owners.
I love reading historical novels about the war and this doesn’t disappoint. It’s very different to others that I have read. Although some of this is a work of fiction. The Lady of the Ermine is a real portrait. It is very professionally written and greatly depicted
Set in two timelines and several POV’s , 1490’s Milan when the portrait was painted and 1940’s Poland/ Germany where the Nazi’s stole artwork including The Lady and the Ermine so Hitler could have the finest art collection in the world.
Leonardo Da Vinci full of ideas about machinery is hired by Ludovico Sforza to paint his mistress Cecilia Gallerani who is 16 years old and wants more out of life so she becomes the mistress of the Regent or her family threatened to send her to a convent.
Then years later in Munich in 1939 Edith Becker an art conservator is instructed to collect the best pieces for SS Men and Hitler. But she hates what she is doing. She thinks that the pieces should be returned to their rightful owners. There is Dominic and American soldier helping The Moments men find the art that has been taken and deliver them back to their owners.
I love reading historical novels about the war and this doesn’t disappoint. It’s very different to others that I have read. Although some of this is a work of fiction. The Lady of the Ermine is a real portrait. It is very professionally written and greatly depicted
September 29, 2020
2.5, if I'm honest. Da Vinci paints Lady with an Ermine in the 1490s and a German art restorer in the 1930s and 40s is caught up in WWII, and a Pittsburgh soldier lands in Normandy and protects art in Poland and Germany. Is that enough for you? With four strands and four narrators, there's a lot going on, yet this novel needs stronger editing to avoid cliches in description, in repetition, in forced comparisons across centuries. Slogging through elaborate descriptions might have been an attempt to "paint" the scene, but is just annoying as are the constant physical descriptions of characters.
August 12, 2020
This is a really enjoyable historical novel that takes place over several different time periods and is told in four different characters voices. The different time periods and voices work well together to tell one well woven story; the story of a famous piece of art by Leonardo da Vinci. I would have happily immersed myself for longer in any of their stories, but I especially would have loved to stay with Cecilia in Renaissance Italy for just a little bit longer. This story brings home beautifully the reality of history and particularly World War 2 and the impact it had on so many lives regardless of which country you were from but ultimately like any good history novel they bring you hope for the future.
June 12, 2020
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this book for a blurb, and I loved it and could hardly put it down! Keep this one on your radar for its release in September. My blurb is below:
"THE NIGHT PORTRAIT is a compelling page turner at the same time as it is a mesmerizing meditation on legacy, guilt and complicity, the horrors of war, and most of all, the singular power of art. This well-researched and vivid novel is sure to thrill history buffs and art lovers alike."
"THE NIGHT PORTRAIT is a compelling page turner at the same time as it is a mesmerizing meditation on legacy, guilt and complicity, the horrors of war, and most of all, the singular power of art. This well-researched and vivid novel is sure to thrill history buffs and art lovers alike."
October 16, 2020
Moving between Renaissance Italy and World War II Europe, this novel is centered around Leonardo da Vinci's painting Lady with an Ermine, which was seized by the Nazis during the war. I had read a nonfiction book about the Monuments Men, a special military division tasked with locating artwork stolen by the Nazis, a few years ago, but this novel really brought to life what rescuing some of these pieces of art must have been like. And, of course, I loved the parts of the novel set in Renaissance Italy and how the artist was imagined as a character. Overall, fascinating reading with just the right amount of history.
April 15, 2023
Read for bookclub and really enjoyed …. Will def look into lore books by this author.
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. 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.
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. 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.
September 26, 2020
I was gifted with a PDF of The Night Portrait well in advance of publication, but was unable to read it because I couldn't adjust the miniscule font on my Kindle e-reader. So I had to wait until my pre-ordered copy arrived from Amazon. Unfortunately, I had another review commitment to deal with when it arrived on my Kindle. This is why it took me longer to get to this dual period novel dealing with the creation of Leonardo Da Vinci's Lady With An Ermine and its later history during World War II.
The first of the two women protagonists to appear in the narrative is fictional museum art conservator Edith Becker who is introduced to us during 1939 in Munich. The museum staff are poring over the records Edith had created about the great paintings by Old Masters in private hands in Poland. The Nazis were stealing art from every nation in Europe where they had a presence. The Chairman of the Board at the museum where Edith worked was justifying German theft of these paintings.
It seemed to me that the Nazis were taking advantage of Edith's love of art. If a painting was given into her hands, she had to preserve it. She would clean it and ameliorate any damage that had occurred during its travel from the home where it had been kept by its owner. Edith was portrayed as a consummate professional who was inwardly horrified to be conscripted into participation in a criminal enterprise. Yet she wasn't helpless either. Could Edith find a way to disrupt the Nazi plan to own all of Europe's great art?
The second female protagonist in The Night Portrait is chronologically first because she is the woman that Leonardo Da Vinci painted when Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, commissioned what became known as Lady With An Ermine. She was Cecilia Gallerani, the sixteen year old mistress of Ludovico Sforza. So history remembers Cecilia as a perpetual sixteen year old.
I was most interested in the character of Edith. Her inner conflict between her passion for preserving art, and her opposition to Nazi art theft gave her a fascinating level of complexity. I was reminded of Hanna, the protagonist in The Woman Who Heard Color by Kelly Jones. Hanna was an art dealer who facilitated Nazi art theft. The main difference between Edith and Hanna is that it seemed to me that Hanna was a voluntary collaborator with the Nazis. I admired Edith, but I thoroughly despised Hanna.
The Night Portrait combines accuracy with narrative power. Those who love books with moving characters and a plot with impact will want to read it for those aspects along with the compelling history and themes. Laura Morelli seems to have built to a crescendo with her novels of 2020. I anticipate her future fiction with enthusiasm.
For my complete review see https://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2020...
The first of the two women protagonists to appear in the narrative is fictional museum art conservator Edith Becker who is introduced to us during 1939 in Munich. The museum staff are poring over the records Edith had created about the great paintings by Old Masters in private hands in Poland. The Nazis were stealing art from every nation in Europe where they had a presence. The Chairman of the Board at the museum where Edith worked was justifying German theft of these paintings.
It seemed to me that the Nazis were taking advantage of Edith's love of art. If a painting was given into her hands, she had to preserve it. She would clean it and ameliorate any damage that had occurred during its travel from the home where it had been kept by its owner. Edith was portrayed as a consummate professional who was inwardly horrified to be conscripted into participation in a criminal enterprise. Yet she wasn't helpless either. Could Edith find a way to disrupt the Nazi plan to own all of Europe's great art?
The second female protagonist in The Night Portrait is chronologically first because she is the woman that Leonardo Da Vinci painted when Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, commissioned what became known as Lady With An Ermine. She was Cecilia Gallerani, the sixteen year old mistress of Ludovico Sforza. So history remembers Cecilia as a perpetual sixteen year old.
I was most interested in the character of Edith. Her inner conflict between her passion for preserving art, and her opposition to Nazi art theft gave her a fascinating level of complexity. I was reminded of Hanna, the protagonist in The Woman Who Heard Color by Kelly Jones. Hanna was an art dealer who facilitated Nazi art theft. The main difference between Edith and Hanna is that it seemed to me that Hanna was a voluntary collaborator with the Nazis. I admired Edith, but I thoroughly despised Hanna.
The Night Portrait combines accuracy with narrative power. Those who love books with moving characters and a plot with impact will want to read it for those aspects along with the compelling history and themes. Laura Morelli seems to have built to a crescendo with her novels of 2020. I anticipate her future fiction with enthusiasm.
For my complete review see https://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2020...
July 5, 2020
The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli is an excellent historical fiction that takes the reader through two different locations and centuries: late 15th century Florence and Milan and Poland/Germany 1939-1946. Within each timeline, the author weaves a tale between two main characters. In 1496: Leonardo da Vinci himself and Cecilia Gallerani, a young girl who ends up posing for one of his beautiful paintings. The WWII timeframe alternates between Edith, a German art restorer/curator that is asked to partake in illegal activities for the “common good of the motherland” and Dominic, an American GI that we first see being involved in D Day and then eventually gets caught up in becoming part of the Monuments Men group that helped rescue, take, and return stolen works of art to their rightful owners.
One would think that taking four different people with their own side stories and secondary characters within two different timelines, and weaving all of that together so that the reader can slowly pull the layers apart and find how all of these people come together and have something in common could be ambitious and intimidating to say the least, however the author was able to accomplish this flawlessly and impressively.
What the reader is left with is a gorgeous tale that gives us so many unique and wonderful experiences. Mystery, loss, suspense, love, passion, evil vs good, scheming, adventure, heroism, and triumph ensue. All of these human emotions are intertwined perfectly with the magnificence of art, art history, and preservation.
This was an excellent book that was special, unique, and kept me enthralled from beginning to end. Very impressive and most excellent.
5/5 stars
Thank you EW and William Morrow for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.
One would think that taking four different people with their own side stories and secondary characters within two different timelines, and weaving all of that together so that the reader can slowly pull the layers apart and find how all of these people come together and have something in common could be ambitious and intimidating to say the least, however the author was able to accomplish this flawlessly and impressively.
What the reader is left with is a gorgeous tale that gives us so many unique and wonderful experiences. Mystery, loss, suspense, love, passion, evil vs good, scheming, adventure, heroism, and triumph ensue. All of these human emotions are intertwined perfectly with the magnificence of art, art history, and preservation.
This was an excellent book that was special, unique, and kept me enthralled from beginning to end. Very impressive and most excellent.
5/5 stars
Thank you EW and William Morrow for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.
February 28, 2021
Simultaneously too long and too short. With four storylines to follow, some characters didn’t get as much development as I would have liked. However, having four storylines made the book excessively long for what it was. Other than that, this was a really enjoyable story that was able to examine and intertwine under-represented pieces of history. Easy to read and beautifully executed.
March 3, 2021
This book was really interesting. It wasn't really a page-turner, but I enjoyed it.
October 6, 2021
This novel deftly ties together multiple storylines from the Italian post-Renaissance and World War II, anchored by a groundbreaking portrait by Leonardo da Vinci. To be honest, I'm not sure why I didn't enjoy it more than I did.
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