Portrait of an Unknown Woman: A Novel

In 1527, portraitist Hans Holbein arrives in England, fleeing the Protestant Reformation, commissioned by Sir Thomas More. Over six years, Holbein paints nearly identical portraits of the More family. The second painting, however, contains several mysteries upon closer examination. Set during the turbulent reign of Henry VIII, the novel follows Meg Giggs, More's adopted daughter—intelligent, tenderhearted, and headstrong. Through her eyes, the story unfolds against sixteenth-century England undergoing profound religious and political change. The narrative weaves together themes of sin and religion, desire and deception, depicting a young woman's sensual awakening alongside a nation in upheaval. The novel combines elements of love story and thriller, exploring the symbolism within Holbein's paintings while evoking the period's historical complexity and human passion.