What inspires an artist to create a masterpiece? Stephanie Storey in her debut novel, Oil and Marble (#723) explores that question. Set during the five year period when Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Bounaroti were both living in Florence, Michelangelo was bury creating his marble colossus David, while Leonardo, remarkably, was immortalizing Mona Lisa. The two artists were known to dislike each other. Did their rivalry play a role in producing these renowned works of art?
We'll never know for sure, but it was interesting reading about them. Ms. Storey alternates chapters between her two protagonists as each strives to best the other. To be honest, I really didn't like either of them particularly, but if I had to choose just one as a dinner companion, it would have to be Leonardo, but only if that dinner were well chaperoned! Michelangelo would have been way too intense, plus his smell would have put any modern person off his or her meal.
My one nitpick about this book is that the author uses twenty first century slang throughout. I just find that jarring when reading historical fiction. It interrupts the flow of the narrative for me as I stop and think "They didn't use 'okay' in Renaissance Italy - it comes from American political slogans! (And if you're still not sure of the origin of 'okay', look it up!) Count yourself fortunate if you've ever been privileged to see either or both of these masterpieces in person! After reading this novel, you'll be longing to book your trip to visit them.
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