Blanche: The Maid of Lille

"Blanche: The Maid of Lille" is a novel by the Austrian novelist Aloisia Kirschner, known by her pen-name Ossip Schubin, which she borrowed from the book «Helena» by Ivan Turgenev. This novel was inspired by the lovely wax bust from the art museum of Lille. The work is of unknown origin and supreme quality. Some people ascribe it to Leonardo and others to Raphael. The beautiful piece of art fired the author's curiosity and imagination. Based on the local legends, she wrote this excellent novel about the possible life of the model for the bust.