The Night Portrait: A Novel of World War II and da Vinci’s Italy

When I started reading this novel by Laura Morelli, I was not prepared for the enormous scope, historical importance and research the author has accomplished with this work. I have loved her other novels but this one surpasses all of them. I suppose because art is near and dear to my heart, especially the old masters and because I was raised in Europe, this novel was especially meaningful to me. What I particularly liked was that it is based on historical facts and so meticulously researched. Many of the characters were developed from actual people who were part of the Nazi regime looting millions of art works from many occupied countries. I simply LOVED this novel and don’t often give a five star review, but if there were more stars available I would give it the highest rating. Lest we never forget, the author has been able to masterfully bring to life how the Nazis stole the national pride of so many countries and murdered their citizens , all to amass the great works of art for themselves. I would not only recommend this work highly but I’d say if you like well written historical fiction, run out to buy this. You will not be sorry!

The book follows Leonardo da Vinci and Cecelia Gallerani in 15th century Milan; Dominic Bonelli with the U. S. Army during WWII; and Edith Becker, an art restorer in Germany, also during WWII. This book is only useful to readers like middle school children who might get a cursory history of da Vinci, life in the Milan court, art restoration, and the part that the U. S. military played in returning much of the European art to the rightful owners. For adults, this is a poor historical novel. Ms. Morelli has a Ph.D. from Yale in art history and so I would have expected a detailed and illuminating description of da Vinci\’s paintings and inventions. There is none. In fact, there is no detail in the description of any of the events, places, or people. The characters are one-dimensional and rather flat, and by mid-story, I really didn\’t care about any of the characters. There\’s no suspense and no real build-up or background for any of the events that occur. Another issue: Occasionally, when the author ends a chapter, she\’ll start the next chapter (which follows another character, in a different time) with the same line–not very inventive and, in fact, it\’s pretty silly. Near the end of the book, Dominic, who is one of the Monuments Men, eventually works with Edith on the repatriation of the art works to their original owners (this interaction should have started near the middle of the story) and a romance between them would have added a much needed dimension to the story. Finally, Dominic\’s child\’s name is also Cecelia. Come on! One of the very best historical novels ever written was by Mary Renault, who wrote, The Persian Boy. Now, that\’s a historical novel.

I tried really hard to like this book. The facts are interesting. But multiple narrators (none of whom I could ever connect with) in multiple time slots, ever made enjoyable reading. Toward the end, I just wanted to know where the painting ended up. Leonardo never comes across as a viable character, nor do \”two women swept up in the tide of history.\” Every single plot feature was forced.

This story covers several characters and how they intersect at the end. Edith, who is German and forced to cooperate with the Nazi\’s in identifying priceless works of art in Poland (from museums and from private residences), so they can steal them for personal use, or for Hitler\’s proposed museum. Edith keeps a secret log/inventory of the pieces so they can some day, be re-united with orginal owners. The Monuments Men (appointed by FDR) to recover the art; statues, paintings, sculptures etc., taken by the Nazi\’s from churches, museums etc. are part of the story, along with a solider, (an amateur artist) who survived Normandy, and was chosen to protect the Monuments Men on their recovery mission. In 1945, Edith and the soldier meet and have the same appreciation and love of one particular painting by DaVinci (Lady with an Ermine). They both work to save that painting. In the background, is juxtaposed, DaVinci, painting the lady and getting to know the subject. Fascinating story. I could NOT put this book down. Laura Morelli, the author wrote this, as well as \”The Giant\” about Michelango and his The David creation…also a great book.

I just turned the last page of this incredible historical novel. Yes, it is ANOTHER World War II story. But, it is also ANOTHER superb one! The Night Portrait offers up a different angle on one of the various events that occurred during the war, one that recreates the story of the Nazi art thefts and the heroes of the The Monuments Men. Four people tell this story: Leonardo Da Vinci, who travels to the court of the Duke Regent of Milan wishing to impress the Duke with his war machine inventions but is commissioned to paint a portrait of the Duke\’s mistress Cecelia instead. Cecelia, mistress to the Duke Regent who although has set her sights high on becoming the next Duchess, must endure her years in the court as just the favored mistress instead. Dominic, a soldier in the war who is a budding artist himself, is promoted to being one of the heroic Monuments Men, a group of men assigned to seek out Hitler\’s hidden treasure troves secretly sprinkled across Europe looking for art and holy relics that were stolen for the future pleasure of the Reich. Edith, a German reknowned art restorer who gets corralled and used as a pawn by the Nazis to help them research and locate where the most valuable pieces of art are to be found, including Leonardo\’s famous painting Lady with An Ermine. I absolutely loved this book and found the author\’s ability to weave in and out from the 1400s to the 1940s with seamless effort quite amazing. Readers will fall in love with all 4 of major players and will feel that they are right there along side them experiencing their many heart-wrenching experiences as well as their small moments of joy. 5 stars from me! I now plan to order the other books by this author!

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member