Portrait of an Unknown Woman

Portrait of an Unknown Woman, by Venora Bennett

This historical fiction is set during the time of Henry VIII, but reads like it should be an episode on The Tudors. An interesting tale about discovering those that surround you on a more deeper level, whether or like what you find or not, this is definitely a great book by a brilliant author.

Meg is an adoptive daughter of Sir Thomas More, and she is the steady narrator through such uneven times. Religion is changing for England and King Henry is planning to divorce his wife, even leave the church if necessary, in order to marry Anne Boelyn. From Meg's eyes readers get to see how the family is being affected in such hard times when she has a father who deals too harshly with heretics and a husband who keeps secrets from her. When a painter named Hans Holbein enters the family drama in order to do a simple family portrait, he stays tangled within the workings of the More family. He has a keen eye for detail that lets him learn more than most. His scenes are always interesting as readers see the character grow over the years to become a better painter and get more crafty at hiding secret meanings inside his paintings. There are many secrets in this novel, some to do with unwanted pregnancy, some to do with punishing heretics, and others to do with hidden identities that may end up ruining King Henry’s legitimacy to the crown. Meg surely has her struggles cut out for her with a painter in love with her, a father she loves but does not agree with, and a husband who may be the key to changing everything in these dark times.

Being historical fiction, this novel definitely stresses the fiction. Based on real characters and some real events, it must be remembered that the majority of these events did not happen, but oh would it be amazing if they did. Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More are real characters, as is the adoptive daughter Meg Clements, but who I was surprised to find as real was Hans Holbein. His scenes were my favorite when he is given the chance to narrate what is going on in his head, but most interestingly while painting. His thought process for a painting is fascinating because he is constantly trying to figure out ways to sneak hidden truths into them. I find this fascinating.

This is a good book, but just from my previous experience, I might say that more females will enjoy this book than males. There is stuff for males inside the novel, but the title, the cover and the time period might scare them away. I would definitely recommend this book, but only to a certain type of reader who is interested in this era or at least knows something about the time. Otherwise, I think a reader might find themselves lost, however, I only havea minimal knowledge and was able to do just fine.

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” - Confucius

These paintings are actual works by Hans Holbein:

The Ambassadors:
Sir Thomas Moore (the portrait that brought Hans Holbein to the novel):
A gift for Meg (her portrait?):
The painting that inspired the novel: