title: The Portrait
author: Greene, Mary J.
description: When Isabel Archer, a beautiful, spirited American, is brought to Europe by her wealthy Aunt Touchett, it is expected that she will soon marry. But Isabel, resolved to determine her own fate, does not hesitate to turn down two eligible suitors. She then finds herself irresistibly drawn to Gilbert Osmond, who, beneath his veneer of charm and cultivation, is cruelty itself. A story of intense poignancy, The Portrait is the story of a spirited young American woman, Isabel Archer, who, in confronting her destiny finds it overwhelming. She inherits a large amount of money and subsequently becomes the victim of Machiavellian scheming by two American expatriates. It is set in Europe, mostly England and Italy. It also treats in a profound way the themes of personal freedom, responsibility, and betrayal.