In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant

This is a book that I chose to bring to a librarians’ discussion of fiction about artists and the artistic life. In my opinion it is a versatile book that I could recommend equally to individuals who are looking for historical romance and intrigue and also for books that feature real artists in fictional settings.

The cover, featuring the cool and alluring gaze of the semi-clad and reclining Venus of Urbino by Titian signals very clearly what the book is about – a 16th century courtesan - and also by reproducing a real painting, places it among other titles such as Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier.

The plot is exciting and grabs your attention at once when Fiametta Bianchini, a beautiful, intelligent, and talented courtesan in the eternal city of Rome is forced to flee from the troops of the Holy Roman Emperor who are sacking the city. She flees with her major-domo, the dwarf Bucino, in whose disillusioned and bitter voice the story is narrated. Having between them swallowed the best jewels from Fiametta’s casket, they head for Venice, where Fiametta’s mother lives. They arrive in Venice after many harrowing adventures which have left them nearly penniless, to discover all is not well in Fiametta’s mother’s house. The pair of them set out to create a reputation for Fiametta which will enable her to set up a salon for gentlemen of power and culture such as she had had in Rome. As Bucino travels the Venetian canals and alleys, the reader gets a vivid picture of the 16th century city. Bucino has a hard task preserving Fiametta’s reputation and even her life, from violence, despair, and simply from starvation. His efforts are made more difficult by Fiametta’s relationship with a blind healer who insinuates herself into their lives and brings them into potential danger from the religious establishment. Fiametta’s path is smoothed to a degree by her patrons among the art intelligensia of Venice. Fiametta numbers among her friends the painter Titian, and the writer Aretino. Readers of Tracy Chavalier and Susan Vreeland will love this glimpse into the art world as they will appreciate this story of an independent and intelligent woman overcoming adversity.

This would be a good book club book since it has lots of discussible features:

Titian and the artistic/creative life

The role of courtesans

16th century Venice

an interesting relationship between Bucino and Fiametta

Fiammetta's childhood and its effects

16th century medicine and superstition

religious bigotry and intolerance

16th century views on physical disabilities and illness

the cover art - what about the enigmatic look on the face of Venus? Suitable art for this book?