Raphael, Painter in Rome: A Novel

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Another Fabulous Art History Thriller by the Bestselling Author of Oil and Marble, Featuring the Master of Renaissance Perfection: Raphael!

Michelangelos Sistine Chapel ceiling is one of the most iconic masterpieces of the Renaissance. Here, inRaphael, Painter in Rome,Storey tells of its creationas never before: through the eyes of Michelangelos fiercest rivalthe young, beautiful, brilliant painter of perfection, Raphael. Orphaned at age eleven, Raphael is determined to keep the deathbed promise he made to his father: become the greatest artist in history. But to be the best, he must beat the best, the legendary sculptor of theDavidprostitute who becomes his muse.

With its gorgeous writing, rich settings, endearing characters, and riveting plot,Raphael, Painter in Romebrings to vivid life these two Renaissance masters going head to head in the deadly halls of the Vatican.

Reviews

"As the plot thickens, intrigue and political machinations simmer, and the result is a rich and delicious portrayal of art and itscreators and the forces that drive and often work against them. More than 25 years of researchin Italian Renaissance art deepens the story and renders it full of fascinating detail about peopleand process, while Storeys painterly prose is also sure to delight art lovers and fans of historical fiction." Booklist
Stephanie Storey paints a warm, witty, mesmerizing portrait of the Renaissances most famous painters: the charming Raphael and the irascibleMichelangelo, dueling for the title of greatest artist in Rome. Only one will win the ultimate commission of the Sistine Chapel, and Raphael is determined the ceiling will be hisbut at what cost RAPHAEL: PAINTER IN ROME is a feast for the senses, every brush-stroke a delight. Kate Quinn, author ofThe Huntress,The Alice Network,The Empress of Rome Saga,andThe Borgia Chronicles

Stephanie Storey takes one of the most towering figures of the Renaissance and seats him across a tavern table from the reader. Raphaels voice is as vibrant and colorful as one of his paintings, and he positively leaps off the page and to life. Impeccably researched, this is an engaging and timely novel about the ways in which politics and art are and always have been intertwined.Alyssa Palombo, Author ofThe Violinist of Venice,The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel, andThe Borgia Confessions

A breathtaking portrait of a self-portrait. In it, the artist and his vision, drive, eccentricity, earthly loves and rivalries all come to life in brilliant color. Storey captures the way art can be a tangled creature, born both deliberately and subconsciously from a slice of the artists life, and the swirl of history, politics, and magical moments. Carmit Delman, author ofConsider the FeastandBurnt Bread and Chutney

A sumptuous, dazzling dive into the world of Italian Renaissance art through the eyes of one of its most celebrated artists.Raphael, Painter in Romeunfolds in unforgettable detail, with all the color and richness of the era: popes and princes, courtesans and cardinals, mystery and murder, ardor and art. The world of Raphael is one I wanted to linger in forever. Crystal King, author ofThe Chef's Secret andFeast of Sorrow

Stephanie Storey conjures the masters of the Italian Renaissance back to life in full vivid detail. This entertaining tale will steep readers in the scheming, the romance, and brilliant talents behind the creation of the Sistine Chapel. Prepare to be charmed! Your Art History 101 class was never this suspenseful and fun.EliseHooper, author of The Other Alcott, Learning to See, and Fast Girls

Stephanie Storeys gorgeous, unputdownable bookRaphael: Painter in Romeilluminates the Renaissance and its storied artists in brilliant, page-turning prose. This novel will have readers laughing out loud and cheering for quirky, sweet, playful, unassuming Raphael in his efforts to fulfill his boyhood promise at his fathers deathbed to be the greatest painter in history and, later, to win the popes favor over the brooding, talented artist Michelangelo. Storeys is a novel of forbidden love, loss, faith, determination, carnage, beauty, and ultimately the ties that bind us all in the human condition. Raphaels commitment to paint pictures that bend the world toward beauty even in the ugliest of days will leave readers with a keen interest in Renaissance art and the 16thcentury Vatican, and a love for this charming, endearing man, Raphael. Five stars!Michel Stone, author ofThe Iguana TreeandBorder Child

Along with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael Sanzio forms part of an unofficial holy trinity of Italian Renaissance artists. In Stephanie Storeys new historical novel,Raphael: Painter in Rome, however, we experience Raphael not as a towering giant but rather as a lively, engaging friend. Storey deftly weaves together extensive historical research on artistic, political, and religious events without it feeling heavy or didactic. Raphaels first-person narrative and his interactions with the other charactersmost of whom are important historical figures of Renaissance Italypulls the reader seamlessly through the story to a satisfying conclusion. Youll want to have your internet connection ready so that you can look up each and every one of the beautiful works of art described in this engaging tale of ambition, rivalry, and ultimately, the power of art to transcend it all.Laura Morelli, PhD, art historian and author of The Painters Apprentice and The Gondola Maker

"Storey makes the world of Renaissance Rome come alive and draws the reader into its constant intrigues... Above all, she has excellent insight into the Renaissance art world and the genius of these two great artists, Raphael and Michelangelo, who were opposites in many wayspainting vs. sculpture, idealism vs. realismand who disliked each other but also supported each other at crucial moments." Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice

Author Bio

Stephanie Storey is the author of the stunning debut,Oil and Marble: A Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo. It has been translated into six languages and is in development as a feature film by Pioneer Pictures. Storey is also a TV producer of The Alec Baldwin Show on ABC, The Arsenio Hall Show on CBS, and the Emmy-nominated The Writers Room for Sundance. When not writing fiction or producing television, she can usually be found traveling the world with her husbandan actor and Emmy-winning comedy writerin search of her next story.