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The Sistine Sky

Michelangelo and his famous fresco

Italy, early 16th century. The young Aurelio arrives in Rome, destined to become an apprentice to the greatest sculptor of the age: Michelangelo Buonarroti. Pope Julius II has just commissioned the artist to create a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo reluctantly sets to work – after all, his true passion is sculpture. Aurelio watches as various power struggles play out between his maestro and Julius. By night, however, Michelangelo creates a portrait of the woman no one is allowed to see from white marble: the Pope’s courtesan.

  • »Historical novel, artist’s biography and thriller all in one – and three times as good.« freundin
  • The new edition of Leon Morell’s hit novel – previous print run: 110,000 copies
  • Art history can be more entertaining and exciting than you might think!
Rights sold: France (HC éditions)
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction

Leon Morell

Leon Morell, born in 1967, studied Musicology and Literature, taught Creative Writing and has co-owned a literary bookshop in Berlin since 2012. He is passionate about Italy and the Italian Renaissance.

576 pages, ISBN: 978-3-423-22074-3
First published 2025