by: Emily Franklin
Goodreads Description:
A deeply evocative novel of the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a daring visionary who created an inimitable legacy in American art and transformed the city of Boston itself.
By the time Isabella Stewart Gardner opened her Italian palazzo-style home as a museum in 1903 to showcase her collection of old masters, antiques, and objects d’art, she was already well-known for scandalizing Boston’s polite society. But when Isabella first arrived in Boston in 1861, she was twenty years old, newly married to a wealthy trader, and unsure of herself. Puzzled by the frosty reception she received from stuffy bluebloods, she strived to fit in. After two devastating tragedies and rejection from upper-society, Isabella discovered her spirit and cast off expectations.
Freed by travel, Isabella explores the world of art, ideas, and letters, meeting such kindred spirits as Henry James and Oscar Wilde. From London and Paris to Egypt and Asia, she develops a keen eye for paintings and objects, and meets feminists ready to transform nineteenth century thinking in the twentieth century. Isabella becomes an eccentric trailblazer, painted by John Singer Sargent in a portrait of daring décolletage, and fond of such stunts as walking a pair of lions in the Boston Public Garden.
The Lioness of Boston is a portrait of what society expected a woman’s life to be, shattered by a courageous soul who rebelled and was determined to live on her own terms.
Helen says: 🤓🤓🤓 1/2
I am fascinated by the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner for a number of reasons…The dad of one of my best friends wrote a musical about her and I remember watching it as a child. Their family dog was named Izzy after her…We also read a book for our blog a few years back about an art heist at the ISG museum that occurred in 1990. The paintings have yet to be recovered. Check out The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World’s Largest Unsolved Art Theft by Urlich Boser. There is speculation that mobster Whitey Bulger had something to do with the robbery….Anyway….my take away from this book was mixed. I didn’t realize what a social outcast she was at the time. She was rather ill received by Boston society for being an attention seeking flirt. She took solace in the art community and found her people there. It was pretty interesting. I don’t have a ton to say about it though.
Holly says: 🤓🤓🤓3/4
I have also been fascinated by Isabella Stewart Gardner ever since I visited her most beautiful Italian palazzo in Boston for the first time over 35 years ago. The home, now a spectacular museum is indeed “as she left it” and filled with amazing art (with a few pieces missing – see the art heist Helen mentioned above), beautiful sculpture, and the physical building is just spectacular. I believe I have returned to this oasis in the middle of Boston almost every time I have been there. It is truly one of the most beautiful museums I have ever visited. There is a larger-than-life (although she did seem to live her life quite largely) portrait of Isabella painted by John Singer Sargent as you enter the museum, and it is beautiful. I have read that she purchased over 60 paintings by JSS. Her art collection was one of the largest private collections in the U.S. Anyway, about the book…I liked it. It was an interesting look into the life of someone who seemed to be ahead of her time. I felt very sorry for her. She was completely ostracized and shunned by Boston society ladies – boy did they hold a grudge, and they were quite vindictive. Then other tragedies ensued, and those bit*hes were still mean to her. I was fascinated that she loved travel and was quite outspoken. I am sure she was difficult and by many reports, money-loving, but I still find her fascinating – and the museum – if you haven’t been there, put it on your bucket list – and have lunch there!
Helen and Holly Hit the Books 