Da Vinci's Last Supper

Chapter 2

I am deeply indebted to the following people for their support and encouragement, which proved invaluable during the years spent writing this novel. For their comments and editorial advice in early drafts, I thank Caroline Ryder, Fintan O Higgins and Fiona Blair. For doing a formidable job of editing the manuscript, I offer a special mention to Robert Endeacott.

In addition, I am thankful to my proof reader, Joanna Peios, and to my dear friend Flavia Cerrone, for her help with various Italian translations and advice. I wish to thank Professor Martin Kemp and Dr. Matthew Landrus of Oxford University, whose time and insights into the life of Leonardo da Vinci helped shape my novel. I am grateful to the Direzione Regionale Musei Lombardia for granting me a prolonged stay to view ‘The Last Supper,’ at Santa Maria delle Grazie, to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence for providing helpful information regarding the early life of Leonardo da Vinci, and to the Czartoryski Museum in Krakow Poland for granting me a private viewing of ‘Lady with an Ermine.’

The following deserve to be acknowledged; my former drama tutors Kevin Rowntree for first inspiring me to write this story, and Andy Willoughby for his candid advice that I was a better writer than I was an actor. A special tribute is also reserved for my former screenwriting tutor and mentor Alby James.

To my children Rachael, Danny and Sam, I thank you for always believing your father would eventually get a book deal. The same applies to my mother, Pam, who has been a great source of support, so too my sisters Ruth, Lisa, Susie and brother David. Finally, to all my friends in Leeds, Darlington, London, around the UK and across the globe who have journeyed with me, and always provided encouragement you know who you are and I thank you a thousand times over.