Twenty-Five Women Who Shaped the Italian Renaissance

Twenty-Five Women Who Shaped the Italian Renaissance is a book that explores the artistic and cultural developments of early modern Italy through the stories of 25 women who overcame obstacles to make their own marks on the Renaissance. These women were excluded from educational opportunities, compelled into arranged marriages, and subject to hostility toward female sexuality, but they defied conventions to make their own mark on the era.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Twenty-Five Women Who Shaped the Italian Renaissance is a captivating journey through early modern Italy, centering women at the heart of artistic and cultural developments during this transformative era. The book highlights remarkable figures such as Caterina Sforza, who bravely defended her city against an invading army; Veronica Franco, the Venetian courtesan whose erotic verse captivated Europe; Sofonisba Anguissola, renowned for her captivating portraits; Isabella Andreini, the pioneering prima donna of Italian theater; and Margherita Sarrocchi, the accomplished epic poet and mathematics prodigy who corresponded with Galileo Galilei. Despite the historical neglect of many of their names, these women overcame formidable obstacles to forge their own paths. Excluded from educational opportunities traditionally granted to men, often forced into arranged marriages or confined to convents, and subjected to ingrained hostility toward female sexuality, they dared to challenge prevailing notions about what women should or could do or be. These women defied conventions about the appropriate role of their sex, leaving their indelible mark on the Renaissance.

Twenty-Five Women Who Shaped the Italian Renaissance serves as an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the Renaissance and the remarkable contributions of early modern women. Through their stories, the book sheds light on the challenges and triumphs faced by these women as they navigated a society that often limited their opportunities. Their resilience, creativity, and determination inspire us to embrace the power of women in shaping history and culture.

Weight: 850g
Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367533984