It was first published by Little, Brown in 2003 with the title The Birth of Venus: Love and Death in Florence.

The painter is brought to her home by her father, a rich textile merchant whose business would be negatively affected by the rise of Girolamo Savonarola in Florence over the next few years.

Her mother tries her hardest to shape Alessandra into a woman who will be desired by a successful and powerful man.

Eventually, after Alessandra has met the painter, but before her feelings for him and his talent have made themselves known to her, her hateful brother Tomaso suggests strong but quiet Cristoforo Langella as a potential husband for her.

Dunant captures the personal conflict felt by Alessandra – she feels torn between Savonarola's fiery message and her own ideas.