The gorgeous cover of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN
FLORANCE caught my eyes a couple of months ago and the
book's description about the muse of Botticelli who
inspired him to paint The Birth of Venus sounded very
intriguing. I love reading historical fiction about real
people and I was very happy when I got the chance to read
this book. The Birth of Venus is a very famous painting,
but I have to admit that Sandro Botticelli's life is not
something that I had any knowledge about. However, that
made the book even more intriguing to read since through
this book did I get a fictional glimpse into the
painter's life which made me yearn to learn more about
him.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORANCE is a story about
Simonetta Cattaneo, a woman that is not well known, just
a footnote in Botticelli's life. Although she must have
been a very important footnote since Botticelli asked to
be buried at the feet of Simonetta grave. And, he was
buried there. So, despite her short life must she have
made a big impression on him.
Alyssa Palombo has taken the little information about
Simonetta life there to find and woven together a
fascinating tale about a woman that was considered The
Most Beautiful Woman in Florence. The beautiful Simonetta
could have had any suitor, but it's Marco Vespucci that
she marries and through him is she introduced to Lorenzo
and Giuliano de' Medici's, and of course to Sandro
Botticelli. From the start does she feel that there is a
connection between them, but it's when she sits for a
portrait painted by him that she truly starts to feel
something deeper for him.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORANCE is a fascinating
tale about not only Simonetta and Botticelli
relationship. It's an insight into Florance when de'
Medici's ruled the city. Palombo writes the book in such
a way that it feels like an almost magical city with all
the art. However, the book also shows women's life, how
subdued they were. Even Simonetta who love her husband
and he loves her learn the hard way that in the end that
it's the man that rule.
I find the best romance stories are the ones that are
both joyous and tragic because they depict real life the
best. I made a point of not checking up on Simonetta life
when I read the book because I didn't want to know about
her life it while I read the book. And, I'm glad that I
did not know what would happen, but I knew from the
start, from the prolog that this is not a story that will
end happily.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORANCE is a great book, and
if you love historical fiction will you love reading this
book!
A girl as beautiful as Simonetta Cattaneo never wants for
marriage proposals in 15th Century Italy, but she jumps at
the chance to marry Marco Vespucci. Marco is young, handsome
and well-educated. Not to mention he is one of the powerful
Medici family’s favored circle.
Even before her marriage with Marco is set, Simonetta is
swept up into Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici's glittering
circle of politicians, poets, artists, and philosophers. The
men of Florence—most notably the rakish Giuliano de'
Medici—become enthralled with her beauty. That she is
educated and an ardent reader of poetry makes her more
desirable and fashionable still. But it is her acquaintance
with a young painter, Sandro Botticelli, which strikes her
heart most. Botticelli immediately invites Simonetta, newly
proclaimed the most beautiful woman in Florence, to pose for
him. As Simonetta learns to navigate her marriage, her place
in Florentine society, and the politics of beauty and
desire, she and Botticelli develop a passionate intimacy,
one that leads to her immortalization in his masterpiece,
The Birth of Venus.
Alyssa Palombo’s The Most Beautiful Woman in
Florence vividly captures the dangerous allure of the
artist and muse bond with candor and unforgettable passion.
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy