The Marriage Portrait

Beskrivelse

A captivating new novel from the bestselling author of Hamnet, set in Renaissance Italy. It follows Lucrezia, a young noblewoman suddenly thrust into a dangerous political marriage, where her future depends on securing an heir.

A vivid retelling of a young woman’s perilous journey through the power struggles of a Renaissance court.

In Florence during the 1560s, Lucrezia, the third daughter of Cosimo de' Medici, enjoys the freedom to explore her family's palazzo, marveling at its treasures and uncovering its hidden intrigues. But everything changes when her older sister dies just before marrying Alfonso d'Este, the ruler of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio.

Without warning, Lucrezia is propelled into the spotlight as Alfonso quickly proposes marriage, and her father agrees on her behalf. Barely out of childhood, she must navigate the complexities of a tense court where customs are mysterious and her presence is met with mixed reactions.

Most puzzling of all is Alfonso himself. Is he the charming, artistic man who surrounds himself with musicians and painters, or the shrewd politician feared even by his own formidable sisters?

As Lucrezia sits for a portrait meant to immortalize her image, one truth becomes chillingly clear: her primary role in the court is to produce an heir to secure the Ferrarese dynasty. Until that happens, despite her noble status, her fate remains uncertain.

The Marriage Portrait is a stunning reimagining of a young woman’s life, caught in the deadly dance of power and survival during the Italian Renaissance, capturing both its splendor and its cruelty.

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