Jack Arts

The Marriage Portrait: Maggie O’Farrell

Beloved bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell is known for her unique takes on love. Her latest novel, The Marriage Portrait, is a little different to her previous work. Set in Renaissance-era Italy in 1561, it follows Lucrezia, the Duchess of Ferrara. When her husband Alfonso reveals that he intends to kill her, she has to ensure her survival at any cost – the book has been called ‘a dazzling evocation of the Italian Renaissance in all its beauty and brutality.’ 

To celebrate the paperback release of The Marriage Portrait, we set the stage for an experiential stunt that travelled across London. Featuring live painting of artwork inspired by its cover, and we took it all over the city: to Covent Garden, the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, Carnaby Street, Trafalgar Square, and to the V&A. There, it sat on stage next to the author for her live talk at the gallery.