From the Preface of Simonetta by Fay Picardi:
Today, Simonetta Vespucci’s naked image as painted by Sandro Botticelli in his Birth of Venus can be found on almost every street corner and in almost every shop window in Florence and elsewhere around the world. If Helen of Troy’s face launched a thousand ships, Botticelli’s depiction of Simonetta has unleashed a frenzy of artistic reproductions and parodies appearing on such items as mugs, scarves, ties, pencil holders and notebooks. Even Andy Warhol was unable to resist creating his own version of the face of Botticelli’s Venus.
Although few people know Simonetta Vespucci’s name, her physical attributes and feminine allure are instantly recognizable. Through the years, she had been lauded by many. Still, little is known about the personal life of this young woman. In researching and writing this book, I have tried to recreate the person she may have been. I hope I have done her justice.
Simonetta, the paperback from Burnt Umber Press, is available through Amazon.com for $12.95. Copy and paste: https://amazon.com/author/faypicardi or enter Fay Picardi in the search bar of Amazon.
Check out the photo below, then copy and paste the following address into your browser to see the article about Simonetta published on November 18, 2015 in Florida Today. http://floridatoday.com/story/life/style/2016/11/14/ga-author-delves-subject-renown-painting/75569426/
Look below for the original announcement of the publication of my book. The beautiful design of the book as well as the book's cover is the work of Kathy Garvey.
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Simonetta's launching party took place on November 6 at the edgy Derek Gores Gallery. The Pieces of Eight debuted their interpretive representations of Simonetta Vespucci. Author Fay Picardi and her mystery guest gave a short reading. Above are pictures of the crowd and of me reading and signing books. What a wonderful way to launch a book!
Coming soon. Those secrets I've promised.