I find visual inspirations very helpful when working on a book (see my earlier posts about the “mood boards” for the novels).  I’m just starting on what might be the new novel, but I already have a couple of touchstones.

This girl with the wary eyes is part of the painting The Coronation of the Virgin by Filippo Lippi.  This was one of the highlights of the Uffizi gallery for me and, as I often do, I singled out a small part of the overall work to photograph.  I didn’t know at the the time that this would become my image for a new character.

What can I tell you about her?  Her name is Leontine, she is the daughter of a noble house in something that is currently modelled after Provence, and she is very good at math.  She likes bees.  She will become the King’s Magician, Protector of the Realm – at least for a while.

There are two other key characters in this both so far, but I have not yet found their paintings.

And if you ever have the chance to see the original in the Uffizi, take it. It’s a thing of beauty, with touches of humanity and humour.