Oil and Marble
A Novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo
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Oil and Marble
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Narrated by:
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P. J. Ochlan
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Written by:
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Stephanie Storey
About this listen
From 1501 to 1505, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti both lived and worked in Florence. Leonardo was a charming, handsome 50-year-old at the peak of his career. Michelangelo was a temperamental sculptor in his mid-20s, desperate to make a name for himself.
Michelangelo is a virtual unknown when he returns to Florence and wins the commission to carve what will become one of the most famous sculptures of all time: David. Even though his impoverished family shuns him for being an artist, he is desperate to support them. Living at the foot of his misshapen block of marble, Michelangelo struggles until the stone finally begins to speak. Working against an impossible deadline, he begins his feverish carving.
Meanwhile, Leonardo's life is falling apart: He loses the hoped-for David commission; he can't seem to finish any project; he is obsessed with his ungainly flying machine; he almost dies in war; his engineering designs disastrously fail; and he is haunted by a woman he has seen in the market - a merchant's wife, whom he is finally commissioned to paint. Her name is Lisa, and she becomes his muse.
Leonardo despises Michelangelo for his youth and lack of sophistication. Michelangelo both loathes and worships Leonardo's genius.
Oil and Marble is the story of their nearly forgotten rivalry. Storey brings early 16th-century Florence alive and has entered with extraordinary empathy into the minds and souls of two Renaissance masters. The book is an art history thriller.
©2016 Stephanie Storey (P)2016 Audible, Inc.What listeners say about Oil and Marble
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2020-10-01
Rivalry and Admiration
1499 Milan - Leonardo's "The Last Supper" is unveiled
1500 Vatican City - Michelangelo's "The Pieta" is unveiled
1504 Florence - Leonardo's "Mona Lisa" is unveiled
1504 Florence - Michelangelo's "David" is unveiled
The time between reveals the rivalry and mutual admiration between these two immense talents. Compellingly written, perfectly narrated, a pleasure to enjoy.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Diana M
- 2022-09-28
Mixed feelings
Hmm. Well, I have mixed feelings about this one.
I was engrossed in the slow progress of The David and all the anguish related to it. I saw the statue itself a few years ago; after a lifetime of seeing renditions of it in everything from key chains to murals, I wasn't expecting to be surprised by it, but in fact I was utterly blown away. I can't begin to explain why, just that seeing the actual piece was very moving and its beauty and power is touching beyond words. So reading about all the struggles involved in its construction, and the various ways it almost didn't come to be was engaging.
Another thing I liked was the depiction of the events around Leonardo's attempt to re-direct the Arno. Yike.
On the other hand, I found the interpersonal dramas in the story somewhat soap-operatic, and the story around the Mona Lisa just...unconvincing.
All in all, readable but not remarkable.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Wenken
- 2022-03-16
Great historical fiction
I did not like the fake Italian accent the narrator used. It reminded me of the count on sesame st.
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