Oil and Marble

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Oil and Marble: a novel of Leonardo and Michelangelo

“Tremendously entertaining and ‘unapologetic’ in its artistic license, Oil and Marble will remind an older generation of the pleasures of Irving Stone’s art historical fiction, particularly his chronicle of the Sistine Chapel ceiling commission, The Agony and the Ecstasy.”
— Maxwell Carter, The New York Times Sunday Book Review (Feb 28, 2016)

Los Angeles Times bestseller
One of Best Books of 2016 by Hudson Booksellers
Translated into 5 languages
In development as a feature film by Pioneer Pictures

Oil and Marble is the story of the rivalry between Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. For five years, both artists lived and worked in Florence, where their bitter rivalry drove to them to create two of the most iconic works in all of western history: The Mona Lisa and The David.

Available in hardcover, ebook, and audio book.

Additional Praise for Oil and Marble

“The artistic process can be one of self-doubt, struggle, and sheer physical exertion, and Storey depicts the drama here with truth and insight. A rewarding read for art aficionados and fans of historical fiction.”
— Carolyn Mulac, Booklist (Feb 15, 2016)

“Vividly evoking the turbulent world and ferociously competitive spirit of Renaissance Florence, Stephanie Storey transports the reader to one of the most creative and exciting moments in the history of that remarkable city.”
— William E. Wallace, author of Michelangelo: The Artist, the Man and His Times

Included on recent lists: Women’s Day’s 40 Summer Beach Reads You Won’t Be Able to Put Down, Barnes & Noble’s 5 Novels that Get Leonardo da Vinci Right, and Wiki.Ezvid’s 10 Extraordinary Novels Set in Bygone Eras

“Before I got to the bottom of the first page, I was completely engrossed in Oil and Marble. I especially liked the way Ms. Storey involved all the great names of the early 16^th century in the art of politics and the politics of art. This is an eminently readable tale, with the two giants of art giving the story its heart and soul. A fabulous and fun read.”
— Monica E. Spence, Historical Novel Review (May, 2016)

“With every chip of the chisel and stroke of the brush, Stephanie Storey fashions a mesmerizing tale of the envy, ambition, and artistic genius that drove an epic rivalry.”
—Elizabeth Cobbs, author of Broken Promises: A Civil War Novel, and the upcoming Hamilton Affair

 “In the end this book is as much a love story as it is an historical narrative of time and place. Leonardo’s love for the muse Lisa and Michelangelo’s loving obsession to create something of great beauty from a block of imperfect stone. Stephanie Storey perfectly describes this artistic love as she paints her own masterpiece in the character of Leonardo.”
–Thomas Crowe, Smoky Mountain Review (April 13, 2016)

Leonardo and Michelangelo’s “rivalry, and mutual dislike, is the basis for this smart historical novel. In an author’s note, Storey says she spent 20 years researching her subject, though the book is “unapologetically” a work of fiction.”
— Toronto Star (April 3, 2016)

“The result… is a fascinating, authentic story in a fully realized and beautifully crafted world. Michelangelo and Leonardo both feel like real people and not just like the legends (or ninja turtles) most of us known them as. Storey focuses not solely on their genius, but on their insecurities and failures.”
—Storytime Junction Reviews (March 8, 2016)

“Unapologetic” about the artistic license she takes, Storey has produced a shrewd, entertaining book that, while it ought not be confused with history, might inspire a longform cable series.”
—Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (March 20, 2016)