Today's Read Team 
The Marchesa: A New Perspective on Isabella d’Este
Independent publisher Whitefox announces a collaboration with author Sarah Dunant to release a compelling narrative about one of Renaissance Italy’s most influential women, Isabella d’Este.
Insights into the Book
Scheduled for publication on 5th June 2025, The Marchesa presents a rich blend of biography, art history, and historical fiction. In this work, Dunant utilizes extensive research from the d’Este archives located in Mantua, integrating an array of letters, artworks, and sculptures to narrate the multifaceted story of Isabella d’Este. Her narrative promises to explore themes of female empowerment, the role of art in society, and the complexities of motherhood against a backdrop of war and political intrigue.
Author’s Background
Sarah Dunant is well-acquainted with the Italian Renaissance, having authored five related novels through Virago. In her new project, she confronts the limitations often encountered with traditional publishing. “Isabella d’Este was an art patron and just as the art saturated her life and the period she lived in, I was determined to include images to bring her story alive for readers. What had proved an obstacle for me with traditional publishers became instead an opportunity to push at the boundaries of what the genre can do,” Dunant remarked.
Publishing Perspective
Julia Koppitz, the publishing director at Whitefox, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Dunant, stating, “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Sarah Dunant on The Marchesa, a powerful new exploration of one of Renaissance Italy’s most famous women, Isabella d’Este. Sarah’s deliberate hybrid approach to telling her story is incredibly immersive, a unique narrative style that will captivate and open up new perspectives for readers. We are so pleased to help Sarah publish this excellent book in the way it is intended, reflecting the innovative approach of the subject herself.”