Historical · Literary
The Marriage Portrait
In sixteenth-century Italy, teenage Lucrezia de' Medici is married to the Duke of Ferrara after her sister's death. At a remote villa she begins to fear for her life. It is based on the story behind Browning's poem My Last Duchess.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 2022
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 448
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like richly detailed historical fiction about court life and a woman under threat.
Skip this if you want a fast plot or already dislike books with a foreboding, uneasy mood.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about The Marriage Portrait
- What is The Marriage Portrait about?
- In sixteenth-century Italy, teenage Lucrezia de' Medici is married to the Duke of Ferrara after her sister's death. At a remote villa she begins to fear for her life. It is based on the story behind Browning's poem My Last Duchess.
- Who should read The Marriage Portrait?
- Read it if you like richly detailed historical fiction about court life and a woman under threat. Skip it if you want a fast plot or already dislike books with a foreboding, uneasy mood.
- How long and how fast is The Marriage Portrait?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 448 pages, first published in 2022.
- Does The Marriage Portrait have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Violence, Manipulation.
- Can I borrow The Marriage Portrait for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Marriage Portrait; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
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| Ebook | ||
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| Audiobook | ||
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