Book on CD read by Lisa Flanagan, Caroline Hewitt, and Paul Woodson.
3.5****

A work of historical fiction with a dual timeline – 1939 in France as the Germans are invading; and 1479 in Florence, when Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned to paint a portrait of Lisa Gherandini. In both cases one woman takes it upon herself to ensure that the portrait remains hidden away in order to protect it.

In 1479 the loyal servant Bellina, illiterate and not always fully understanding the intricacies of Medici politics, takes it upon herself to secure an unfinished portrait of her mistress. In 1939, Anne works to help obfuscate and hide the inventories that point to the location of the precious artwork. Having learned to drive a truck she is sometimes pressed into service joining the convoys that move the Louvre’s treasures about the countryside, trying to keep one step ahead of the Nazis. Both storylines have moments of intense activity and suspense, along with romance thwarted (or delayed, or interrupted) by events occurring outside their control.

Between the two storylines, I clearly preferred the World War II one. I wasn’t sure that this novel needed the 15th century story line. For me, it distracted from the danger and adventure of the situation faced by the curators and workers of the Louvre who worked tirelessly to secure the museum’s collections – including, or especially, the Mona Lisa – from invading Nazis. However, I did find the story of the creation of the painting, including the “rivalry” between Da Vinci and “that upstart” Michelangelo, interesting. I had no idea that the artist had presented the painting to the French. I also appreciated the look at how politics and religious fervor affected the residents of Florence during this time frame. I think I would have enjoyed it more had the two time frames been treated in separate novels.

The audiobook is very well done by a trio of talented voice artists. This does help when switching time frames and/or narrators.

I also had the print version readily available and I’m glad I did for it included extensive author notes / interviews and historic photos of the Louvre staff moving these treasures. ( )

Excellent. ( )

The Stolen Lady is the latest novel in Laura Morelli's art mysteries. All of them are standalone books. In this particular novel there are alternating plots that take place during the 1400s and during WWII. The fictional characters are based somewhat on real people and the backstory on how the Louvre staff moved its works of art is well researched. Below is the publisher's summary:

France, 1939

At the dawn of World War II, Anne Guichard, a young archivist employed at the Louvre, arrives home to find her brother missing. While she works to discover his whereabouts, refugees begin flooding into Paris and German artillery fire rattles the city. Once they reach the city, the Nazis will stop at nothing to get their hands on the Louvre's art collection. Anne is quickly sent to the Castle of Chambord, where the Louvre's most precious artworks - including the Mona Lisa - are being transferred to ensure their safety. With the Germans hard on their heels, Anne frantically moves the Mona Lisa and other treasures again and again in an elaborate game of hide and seek. As the threat to the masterpieces and her life grows closer, Anne also begins to lean the truth about her brother and the role he plays in this dangerous game.

Florence, 1479

House servant Bellina Sardi's future seems fixed when she accompanies her newly married mistress, Lisa Gherardini, to her home across the Arno. Lisa's husband, a prosperous silk merchant, is aligned with the powerful Medici, his home filled with luxuries and treasures. But soon, Bellina finds herself bewitched by a charismatic one who has urged Florentines to rise up against the Medici and to empty their homes of the riches and jewels her new employer prizes. When Master Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned to paint a portrait of Lisa, Bellina finds herself tasked with hiding an impossible secret.
To say that I loved this story is an understatement. The richness of Florence and Milan set a striking contrast to the French countryside where the Louvre employees lived a spartan existence under Nazi rule. In my mind you cannot find a more beautiful setting than Florence. I love the art, cathedrals, fabrics and food. The pleasures that the ruling class were lucky to have engaged in will always seduce my imagination. If only to be rich in Florence during the Middle Ages.

One of the secondary characters, Lucie, is based on a real woman who, as a Louvre employee, documented the movement of the artworks from Paris to the countryside. Through her efforts we know what happened during this time period. Our protagonist Anne worked under Lucie at the Louvre but they were equals during the run from the Nazis. The author drew upon Lucie's documentation to write this part of the story. While I can't get enough of the Italian Renaissance period I believe that Anne's story is the most compelling.

The author gives us an interesting viewpoint into how Da Vinci felt about his Mona Lisa. We see him as he begins the portrait and decades later before his death. Morelli shows him initially believing that a portrait will never bring him accolades. However, he never truly believes that the painting is finished and works on it periodically while he looks for other commissions that will bring him fame. He too is captivated by the smile that he remembers the real Lisa had and endeavors to recreate it in this portrait.

The Stolen Lady is a must read for historical fiction fans. ( )

One woman is the person in the painting while the other woman is trying to save it.

We meet Lisa Gherardini in 1497 whose wealthy husband wanted a portrait of her, and we meet Anne Guichard in 1939 who is employed at the Louvre and trying to keep this famous painting, The Mona Lisa, out of the hands of the Nazis.

Leonardo Da Vinci is the artist who painted Lisa's portrait.

Many interesting facts about this painting that traveled far and wide to keep it safe.

All three people are tied together by this one painting even though the connection is hundreds of years apart.

Lisa's maid, Bellina Sardi, is a side part of this trio, but she has an important role of keeping her mistress safe, but is also asked to spy on and steal from the wealthy family she works for by the Medici.

Marvelous research as always and an educational trip through history as we learn about the woman behind that Mona Lisa smile, Leonardo Da Vinci, how the Mona Lisa took many trips and was hidden many times, and life during this time in history. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

art-theft, artist, art-history, Italy, France, dual-time-frames, historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture*****

Impressive storytelling backed by solid research. This entwined presentation involves a Louvre employee during the occupation of France tasked as a member of a team to thwart the German accession of fine art, a woman who becomes a servant to a wealthy family at a young age in the time of the famous Leonardo painting, and Leonardo himself. The story is actually riveting as I wanted to find out multiple things about each of the protagonists. No spoilers here, just READ IT!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from William Morrow and Custom House via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )