Cupid and the Silent Goddess

Written by Alan Fisk

196 pages

Published by Twenty First Century Publishers

Review by Lois Danielson

Receives:

In his novel, Cupid and the Silent Goddess , Alan Fisk studies the painting “Allegory with Venus and Cupid” that hangs in London's National Gallery. What does the painting mean? And who is the woman posing as Venus? Who were the other models? Fisk attempts to answer those questions in this story.

Duke Cosimo de' Medici of Florence commissions the painting from the artist Bronzino as a gift to the king of France. Everyone involved with the painting, from Angelina, the mute young woman who is the model for Venus, to the evil sculptor Bandinelli, to the alchemists Sister Benedicta and Father Fleccia. With entertaining dialogue, quick, easy prose, and intriguing historical details, Fisk creates believable scenes of the artist's life in Renaissance Florence as well as a cast of interesting characters who helped Bronzino to create one of the most fascinating works of art of all time.

Fans of authors such as Susan Vreeland and Tracy Chevalier who enjoy these what-if forays into art history will also enjoy Alan Fisk's imaginative story about how the painting “Allegory with Venus and Cupid” came into being.

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Lois Danielson is a professor of history and part-time historical novelist. She is currently working on a novel set during World War II. She lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband, two daughters, and a Basset Hound named Fred.