I found the multiple timelines of this book very confusing, especially the ones that were so close together. I thought the writing was fine, nothing special but also nothing overtly bad about it either. I really enjoyed the 15th century plotline. It was really refreshing for a historical fiction, especially one that also took place during WWII, which over-saturates the market.

Overall, a fine book and I would suggest it to people who have read a lot of WWII historical fiction and want something different but it would not be my first choice for someone looking to read in the genre.

The Night Portrait is a gripping. intriguing novel about one of the most interesting aspects of the Second World War. So many stories about this period focus on the fighting or the horrific loss of life which occurred. This novel refreshingly looks at the vast movement of cultural history during the conflict. Told through the perspective of four narrators, Morelli's novel jumps between 1940s Europe and Renaissance Milan. The vivid description of Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo Da Vinci, the connecting focus of this novel, sent me right to Google to see the portrait for myself. All four narrators drive the story in their own unique way as they are involved in different aspects of history. I was so intrigued by the story of the portrait: how it came into being, how it ended up in Poland, its journey throughout the Third Reich, and how it survived the war. I find the work of the Monuments Men, a division to which one of the narrators belong, a refreshing addition to the plethora of WWI literature. So many cultural artifacts- from famous paintings to religious icons to national treasures- were stolen and hidden by the Nazis. The recovery of these treasures was a huge, multi-national effort which is still on-going in the modern day. I love that this book focused more on the cultural history than on the fighting. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that makes me want to learn more about the recovery works of the Monuments Men.

A story set in two different centuries, but with overlapping themes, this book is very well written and the plot is a nice change from most historical fiction books. I found myself enjoying the methodology of the ending of one chapter being the first sentence of the following chapter. I found this book very enjoyable.

"The Night Portrait" was selected as Veranda magazine's Sip & Read Book Club Sept. selection. A Q&A with the author was posted on @verandamag Instagram Stories and a review was posted to Veranda.com.

An artful blend of several people linked by Da Vinci's famous portrait "Lady with an Ermine". In 15th century Italy Leonardo and Cecilia (the Lady of the painting) struggle with the intricacies and fickleness of the court of the Duke of Milan, while American GI Dominic and German art restorer Edith travel across Europe finding and saving art from the rapacious hands of the Nazis. A treat for fans of art -based biographical historical fiction and of the Monuments Men and their immense task to save famous artworks during the end of World War II.

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You can certainly tell by reading this novel that Morelli has her doctorate in art history -- the paintings and other pieces are beautifully described and the history of the Renaissance era is wonderfully painted.

Going inside Leonardo da Vinci's head is intriguing because he is a man of so many talents. I was not aware of the broad extent of his inventions and fields of study. Cecilia's story is sadder, as many poor, unmarried women's stories in the 1500s were. Her only friends in the household are da Vinci and another older man who writes poems and song lyrics for her to perform. She is a talented young lady, and could have made something of herself if she were born a couple hundred years later. Still, she is the subject of a da Vinci portrait so she will live on forever. I guess she gets the last laugh after all!

Edith is an interesting character. Although she is tasked by Hitler's cronies to steal the art of the people Germany is bulldozing, she feels morally obligated to keep track of who the items belong to in hopes that one day they can be returned. Her experience in art conservation makes her appreciate the works and her trained eye can repair them as needed in Poland.

Dominic is an artist himself, although he draws as a hobby with no formal training. He misses his family greatly and wishes the war would end so he can return to them. At first, he is thrilled to be a part of the expedition to find hidden caches of art in Germany, hoping to see a da Vinci in person one day. He struggles with his role in the war, wondering if his job is contributing enough compared to those on the front lines.

Dominic's storyline also has the best side character in the whole novel -- a vicar named Stephany the troops pick up in a bombed church. The old man comes with them, determined to find the church's lost relics of Charlemagne. He provides wisdom and a little comic relief to an otherwise sad, serious time period.

The chapters for this book are short, which makes the reading go quickly. The plot never gets boring, as there's always a new character's point of view a few pages ahead. The WWII timeline becomes more interesting the further the book progresses, but the Renaissance timeline slows down after the portrait is completed.

Recommended for historical fiction readers, especially those who love fine art. The split between WWII and Renaissance Italy makes this a good title for WWII fiction lovers to try a historical novel about an unfamiliar era.

As other reviewers have already stated, the synopsis of <u>The Night Portrait</u> makes it sound as if the story will be told from the perspective of two women across time, connected through history by a famous portrait.

In fact, the story is told from 4 perspectives and at times even from 4 differing time periods. These multiple points of view also ranging across time made some of the transitions a little difficult to follow. (At one point I thought we suddenly jumped from 1941 to 1945 for Edith? Maybe we did? But I was left wondering where all that time went...it seemed odd.)

While well written, I felt not much happened in this 450 page novel. Nothing surprised me, nothing truly grabbed at me. It was an enjoyable enough historical fiction read to keep me interested, and I appreciated all the thought and attention that went into concocting the tale behind <i>Lady with Ermine</i>, but other than that I feel like this novel was none too memorable.

Morelli‘s (The Painter’s Apprentice) narrative links Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of Cecilia Gallerani, Lady with an Ermine, to Edith Becker, World War II German art restorationist. Morelli gives Cecilia a voice as she assumes the position of mistress to the powerful Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, and poses for da Vinci. Cecilia takes comfort in her position as a revered mistress until she becomes pregnant with the duke’s child and fears for her future stability.

Fast forward over four hundred years where the German government tasks Edith to travel from Munich to Poland and catalog art that the Nazi government has appropriated from Polish citizens. Edith loathes the idea of taking treasured art from its rightful owners but fears for her life if she disobeys. While in Poland, Edith sees Lady with an Ermine and formulates a plan to help reunite the stolen art with its owners. Edith records secret inventories about each piece of art she catalogs. As Edith continues her tireless task of cataloging art, she faces loneliness as her father, a dementia patient, remains in Munich, and her fiancé, Heinrich, has been sent to fight in Poland.

On the beaches of Normandy, American soldier Dominic Bonelli survives the Omaha Beach landing and is later reassigned to a unit supporting the Monuments Men, a team scouring Europe to recover art stolen by the Nazis.

When Dominic and Edith’s paths cross in the war’s final days, she encourages his love of art as he sketches in his spare time, focusing much of his efforts on drawing Lady with an Ermine. Edith and Dominic develop an easy friendship, sharing the tragedies they have witnessed during the war as Dominic pines for his home in Pennsylvania and dreams of returning safely to his wife and children.

Morelli expertly links the experiences of Cecilia, Dominic, and Edith. Though the three characters are each truly unique, their fortitude when faced with adversity forms a common bond. Yet Lady with an Ermine is the painting that binds them together, revealing art’s timeless beauty.

I really enjoyed reading this incredible historical fiction! The story moves seamlessly between narrators and time periods. I loved how the stories came together to tell one story despite being told in different centuries. It was well researched and well written. I especially enjoyed reading about another perspective of World War II. It had a more uplifting feeling even though the tragedies of war were present as well. The characters were full of life and emotion and were constantly being pulled by their conscience. I would recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, especially those that love a great World War II story!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was my first foray into the brilliance of Laura Morelli. All historical fiction lovers need to embrace this author with a passion! Morelli combines the story of a Renaissance women with the intensity of those living through WWII. The back and forth between the two time periods provides a balance for the reader so that one doesn't become overwhelmed by the magnitude of the negativity and horror of the WWII timeline. Morelli provides such vivid descriptions and doesn't hold back in her goal of having the reader feel all the emotions of her characters. For everyone that is over the saturation of WWII related books, read this one before you do anything rash. Great read!

The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli written in
two different timelines, each noteworthy makes Laura Morelli's book a great read. The mid to late 15th century features Leonardo da Vinci while the 20th century takes place during WW2. Edith Becker is an art restorer in Munich during this time and unwillingly becomes involved in the Nazi theft of famous art. This is a well researched book, which is also based on a true story.

Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

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.

I’m a huge fan of dual-timeline historical fiction books…Especially those set during WWII, and this book did not disappoint. It is richly textured and driven by a thrillerish fever.

The characters were fully developed and compelling as the story was told from different points of view and time periods. The story itself revolves around the painting by Leonardo da Vinci known as The Lady with the Ermine, and is mainly centered around the character of Edith, and art conservator. Edith mistakenly brings the da Vinci portrait to a high-ranking Nazi, and now she and the Monuments Men must risk their own lives to save this priceless work of art. As the complex plot progresses and jumps through time periods, the storyline flowed seamlessly.

The Night Portrait is not only a masterpiece of art, but it is a story masterfully told. I love how I was transported through time and countries. Morelli’s attention to detail and an unmatched ability to paint words on the page bring each European location and artwork to life in a way that’s stunningly cinematic. The story transported me to Milan, Florence, Poland and Germany. I felt like I too was traveling through time and locations through these gorgeous parts of Europe just through Morelli’s detailed imagery. This is a treat since our current pandemic situation has forced me to forgo a lot of traveling, and for many it will offer an escape from isolation.

If you are a fan of the movie Monuments Men, then you will find yourself fully engrossed in this exciting story that spans centuries.

This book alternates between four points of view. In 15th century Milan, Cecilia sets herself up to become the mistress of the Duke of Milan. Leonardo Da Vinci, while dreaming of war machines, paints her portrait. At the beginning of WWII, Edith, a German art restorer, is tasked with uncovering priceless works of art throughout the conquered territories. At the end of WWII, after landing on the beaches of Normandy, Dominic is tasked with working with the Monuments Men team.

Although this was an interesting story, the book itself was a bit repetitive and slow moving. Each point of view was only for a page or two, which made it hard to get to know the characters. The book would have been much better of the author took her time with the story, rather than flitting from story line to story line. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

This story is about art, passion and war and two women separated by 500 years. In 1492, a 16 year old girl becomes the lover of the Duke of Milan and finds herself sitting for a portrait by none other than Leonardo DaVinci. During World War II,a young woman puts her life on the line to regain that same portrait from the Nazis, working with the famed American Monuments Men. A fascinating look into the provenance of one of the most famous portraits in the world