Early in 1557, Jacopo da Pontormo is found dead in the church of San Lorenzo in Florence, where he was painting frescoes. A scandalous painting of Maria de’ Medici, daughter of Cosimo, Duke of Florence, is also discovered in Pontormo’s house. Giorgio Vasari, an art historian, is appointed to lead the investigation. Through a series of letters between the Duke, the Duchess and a number of artists of the time, including Michaelangelo, the story shows us the events of the period and the struggles for recognition for all. Well documented and firmly set in the historical period, I was happy to return to a part of the life of the Medici family. It took me a moment to get into the story, the letters jumping from one protagonist to another, but all in all, the story unfolds well and is interesting.
“My dear child, do not torture yourself more than necessary, and allow me to pass on to you a few lessons that life has taught me. The most important point of your story is that you managed not to cry out. That is a very good thing, because for us women it is public shame that is most to be feared, and whatever your confessor might say if you are silly enough to tell him about your nocturnal adventure – it is not a sin to sin in silence. I remember something an older woman told me when I was younger than you are now: honour is nothing more than the opinion of the world, and that is why a woman must use all her talent to ensure that people do not tell tales about her. Honour, essentially, consists not in what you do or do not do, but in the idea of yourself – positive or negative – that you give the world. Sin if you must, but guard your reputation.”
Original title : Perspective(s)
Translated from French