Botticelli's Apprentice

Name: Botticelli's Apprentice
ISBN: 9780063157934

A Graphic Novel

Ursula Murray Husted

HarperCollins · Print & ebook · March 11, 2025

This funny, empowering graphic novel from rising star Ursula Murray Husted is a gorgeously illustrated glimpse into the forgotten history of Renaissance Italy, following an ambitious young girl's quest to become an apprentice to the famous Sandro Botticelli.

Art & Architecture Historical Comics Renaissance Stories girls

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Who it’s for: A funny, illustrated graphic novel brings Renaissance art and a young girl's ambition together.
Themes: Gender barriers, Artistic recognition, Ambition and perseverance
Genres: Historical Comics, Renaissance Stories, Art & Architecture

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About this book

Though girls can’t be official apprentices to artists in Florence, Mella has been secretly teaching herself to paint while tending to artist Sandro Botticelli’s chickens. When one of Botticelli’s actual apprentices discovers Mella’s work, he threatens to take full credit for it. Why does it matter who drew it if it’s good? With the help of unexpected allies, an important patron, and a tenacious stray dog named Blue, Mella must summon all her courage, smarts, and skills to prove her worth and demand the recognition she deserves.

Art Beyond the Rules

A funny, illustrated graphic novel brings Renaissance art and a young girl's ambition together.

Come here for

A young artist pushing against Florence's rules
Art history with chickens and a stray dog

Expect

Warm, funny graphic-novel storytelling
A fight for artistic credit and recognition

Where it sits

Historical Comics	77%
Art & Architecture	55%
Renaissance Stories	54%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

Dog Stories
Art & Architecture
Historical Comics
Funny Comics

Show all 8 publisher categories

Girls & Young Women
Historical Europe
Renaissance Stories
Self-Esteem & Resilience

Authors: Ursula Murray Husted
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: March 11, 2025
Format: Print & ebook
Theme: Gender barriers · Artistic recognition · Ambition and perseverance
Reading lane: Dog Stories