I absolutely adore books like this, ones that completely transport you to another era. The Renaissance is a period I'm fascinated by, and Laura Morelli's *The Painter's Apprentice: A Venetian Renaissance Novel* plunges you headfirst into the lives of people living through the plague. It's historical fiction at its finest.The depiction of artists' methods was incredibly detailed, clearly the result of extensive research. The details surrounding the plague were also morbidly fascinating. Morelli r...

I really loved Laura Morelli's first novel, The Gondola Maker. But I just couldn't get into The Painter's Apprentice: A Venetian Renaissance Novel; it felt like it was missing heart and soul. You can tell Morelli is an art historian, and she tried to create a story overflowing with art history details, but she seemed to forget a really important aspect: breathing life into the story. As far as historical fiction book reviews go, this one sadly disappoints.

I'm a sucker for stories set in this era, and what really drew me in was that Laura Morelli's *The Painter's Apprentice: A Venetian Renaissance Novel* unfolds in Italy, the land of my mother's ancestors! That personal connection made it even more captivating. As far as historical fiction book reviews go, this one is a must-read. It's 1510, and Maria Bartolini is determined to follow in her father's footsteps, aspiring to become a master gilder. But instead of training with him, her father send...

I won *The Painter's Apprentice: A Venetian Renaissance Novel* by Laura Morelli on Goodreads due to a lucky error. The publisher accidentally offered too many copies for their print giveaway, and the author generously agreed to give away free digital copies via Book Funnel. That's how I got my review copy, and here's my honest take. I was mainly drawn to this book because I'm fascinated by female protagonists who are artists. Since Laura Morelli is an art historian, I figured she'd bring some fa...

Venice, 1510—a well-respected gilder quickly arranges for his gifted daughter to apprentice with a well-known painter in the city. Publicly, he states that he wants to provide her with every opportunity to continue the family's artisan legacy. But in actuality, he fears her growing attachment to his gold leaf maker, who just isn't who he had in mind for his daughter's hand. Off she goes, and much she learns, but her heart remains back at her father's home and workshop. And then the bubonic plagu...

Having thoroughly enjoyed Laura Morelli's *The Gondola Maker*, I couldn't wait to dive into *The Painter's Apprentice: A Venetian Renaissance Novel*. I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. Morelli's writing is, once again, profoundly artistic; I was instantly swept away to Renaissance Venice, with all its majesty, spectacle, and, of course, the ever-present Plague. As an artist myself, I especially appreciated the fascinating and detailed descriptions of the gilding process, the pigment mixing ...

Venice has always held a special allure for me with its alleyways, canals, islands, and gondolas. They all beckon me to explore further. So a new book by Laura Morelli, set in Venice, promises an escape to this historic land.Set in 1510, we are taken into the world of artists and the “gilders’ guild.” The gilders’ guild is a society dedicated to the practice and preservation of the art of using gold and metal leaf. I had no idea this technique was such a specialty.But darkness – in the form of t...

This is one of those gorgeous, richly detailed, and historically accurate novels that you can completely lose yourself in for days. Like the historical fiction of Ken Follett, which I adore, "The Painter's Apprentice: A Venetian Renaissance Novel" is compulsively readable and filled with characters you'll instantly connect with. If you're a fan of lush, dramatic human stories, blended with history and the beautifully exotic backdrop of Venice, you absolutely shouldn't miss this outstanding novel...

Laura Morelli clearly knows her stuff. With a Ph.D. in Art History from Yale, the impeccable research behind *The Painter's Apprentice: A Venetian Renaissance Novel* is evident.I adore books that transport me to new places, and historical fiction is a particular weakness. This book whisks you away to early 16th-century Venice. The characters are richly drawn; you'll root for some and despise others (one in particular!), and each scene flows seamlessly into the captivating narrative. The writing ...

My Review of "The Painter's Apprentice: A Venetian Renaissance Novel" by Laura MorelliI really appreciate how Laura Morelli, the author of "The Painter's Apprentice: A Venetian Renaissance Novel", vividly brings the beautiful scenery of Venice to life with such glorious details. The story is set around 1510, and it falls into the genres of historical fiction, general fiction, and even has a touch of romance. There's a palpable darkness hanging over everything, as the plague ravages many parts of...