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Title details for The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli - Available

The Night Portrait

A Novel of World War II and da Vinci's Italy

by Laura Morelli
Reba Buhr
Audiobook
2 of 2 copies available
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2 of 2 copies available

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 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.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    September 8, 2020

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780063036109
      • File size: 336361 KB
      • Duration: 11:40:45

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      In alternating chapters, four talented narrators provide dramatically different performances as they recount the story of a portrait painted in 1492 and its subsequent theft and recovery during WWII. Reba Buhr captures the youthful innocence and na�vet� of Cecilia, mistress of the Duke of Milan, and also brings many other supporting characters from that period to life. Christa Lewis gives German accents and serious tones to Edith, a German art conservator, and her museum colleagues as well as to soldiers. P.J. Ochlan captures the tough-guy attitudes of Dominic and his fellow American soldiers who are tasked with protecting the legendary monuments men in their quest to recover art stolen by the Nazis. And lastly, Paul Woodson gives Leonardo da Vinci a scholarly and somber air as he describes his commission to paint Cecilia, "Lady with an Ermine." J.E.S. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      September 1, 2020

      Morelli's (The Giant) novel revolves around four characters in two time periods: Leonardo da Vinci, Cecilia Gallerani, Edith Becker, and Dominic Bonelli. In the 1490s, Leonardo da Vinci is tasked with painting the portrait of the Duke of Milan's mistress, Cecilia, a young woman intent on being more than what society says she can be. Meanwhile in the 1940s, Edith, a German art conservator, attempts to use her position to return Nazi-stolen art to its rightful owners, and American soldier Dominic works his way across Europe, trying to find the looted works. The stories connect via Leonardo's painting, Lady with an Ermine. VERDICT Morelli's wonderfully intertwined, quiet tale set during unquiet times reveals truths about the human character and the will to survive. The well-balanced historical fiction on the plight of stolen artwork during World War II moves smoothly between the centuries, focusing on individuals and their own motivations, fears, and ambitions. The theme of survival appears often in the narrative, connected to both people and objects alike and creating another layer for readers to enjoy.--Laura Hiatt, Fort Collins, CO

      Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      September 1, 2020
      Leonardo Da Vinci's Portrait of a Lady with an Ermine is at the center of this engrossing historical novel, and the stories of its creation in 1492 and recovery during WWII form dual narratives that run through it like rich veins of color in a block of marble. In one, Leonardo and his model, Cecelia Gallerani, mistress of the duke of Milan, tell their stories; in the other, Edith Becker, an unassuming German art conservator, and Dominic A. Bonelli, an American soldier with a penchant for drawing, and a daughter named Cecelia, tell theirs. At this point in his career, Leonardo is looking to ensure his place at the duke's court by painting a portrait of Cecelia Gallerani, who is also trying to secure her own place there. Edith inadvertently helps a Nazi official acquire the portrait, then works to recover with the help of Dominic, recently assigned to the Monuments Men team. The interlocking stories in the latest from art historian and novelist Morelli create an exquisite pattern, each beautiful in its own terms and absolutely splendid when brought together.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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