Natasha Solomons

My adventures are worth hearing. I have lived many lifetimes and been loved by emperors, kings and
thieves. I have survived kidnap and assault. Revolution and two world wars. But this is also a love story. And the story of what we will do for those we love.

This April, Natasha Solomons joins us to discuss the story behind her latest novel, I, Mona Lisa. In it, Solomons provides a unique and fascinating take on the iconic figure, told not from the perspective of Lisa del Giacondo (the real-life muse) but from the voice of the painting itself, trapped behind glass. Mona Lisa is in love with her creator and in rage with the world around her, a world she bears witness to but upon which she can have no impact.

Natasha will take us through her extensive research into the history of the Mona Lisa, which provided the foundations for her compelling, feminist retelling. We talk about Leonardo da Vinci’s obsession with the Mona Lisa and how he refused to give her up to the man who had commissioned it (Lisa del Giacondo’s husband); the theft of the portrait from Leonardo’s studios and her eventual recovery; and Picasso’s obsessive attempts to paint the Mona Lisa over and over again, trying to crack the mystery of that smile.

Perfect for readers of historical fiction and art history alike, this will be a hugely insightful and enjoyable evening. We do hope you can join us!