Here are a few recent releases for medievalists hunting for Black Friday books and early Christmas gifts!
These are beautiful words to understand
November 19, 2015 By
‘If those who wound felt the pain of those who are wounded, they could not often wound with pleasure.’
Down to the Last Stitch: Sumptuary Law and Conspicuous Consumption in Renaissance Italy
October 21, 2015 By
Fashion and luxury were very important in Italian Renaissance society. One’s appearance indicated more than whether one was simply attractive, it also indicated one’s social standing.
Machiavelli and Botticelli Movies to Hit the Screen in 2016
August 29, 2015 By
Machiavelli and Botticelli are set to hit screens in 2016. We sat down to chat with Italian director, Lorenzo Raveggi about his two ambitious projects.
Movie Review: Dangerous Beauty
August 28, 2015 By
Late 16th century Venice, where a woman can be a nun, a wife or a courtesan. For Veronica Franco, the free spirited girl scorned by because of her lack of wealth, the choice is an obvious one…
The Justinianic Reconquest of Italy: Imperial Campaigns and Local Responses
August 27, 2015 By
This article examines a particular aspect of Justinian’s campaigns against the Ostrogoths in Italy, one that is often overlooked, yet one that is essential to the understanding of these wars
Genoa: The cog in the new medieval economy
August 18, 2015 By
Journalist and author Nicholas Walton writes about medieval Genoa’s economy, trade and role in the Black Death. Walton recently published a book on Genoese history entitled, “Genoa: La Superba”
BOOK REVIEW: Genoa ‘La Superba’: The Rise and Fall of a Merchant Pirate Superpower by Nicholas Walton
August 9, 2015 By
While most books about Italy have been dedicated to tourist hubs like Milan, Florence, Rome, Sicily and Venice, Genoa with its rich history, rugged landscape, and tenacious residents, has been given only a passing mention.
International trade and institutional change: Medieval Venice’s response to globalization
July 14, 2015 By
Venice has always presented two faces. As a great medieval trading centre its wealth was used to build not only beautiful architecture, but also remarkably modern institutions.
Angels in Art: Angels Through the Ages
June 14, 2015 By
A look at cool and fun facts about angels and how they were depicted in some of the most beautiful works of Medieval and Renaissance art.
Caterina Sforza’s Experiments with Alchemy
June 12, 2015 By
She collected over four hundred alchemical, medicinal, and cosmetic recipes, and corresponded with other alchemical adepts about materials and laboratory techniques.
Foundation Myths in Medieval and Renaissance Italy
June 10, 2015 By
The 3 papers featured here looked at the development of the civic identities of Florence, Genoa and Rome through art, architecture and foundation legends.
Dyes, Diets and Deodorants: Venetian Beauty Secrets Revealed
June 8, 2015 By
If you think it’s hard to keep up a beauty regime now, wait until you see what lengths the Venetians went to in order to be beautiful!
Beyond the Medical Text: Health and Illness in Early Medieval Italian Sources
June 6, 2015 By
The vast majority of surviving evidence for health care, medicine and attitudes to illness in early medieval northern Italy comes not from traditional medical texts, but legal, hagiographical and archaeological sources.
Bishops and Their Towns
June 1, 2015 By
Another #KZOO2015 post – this one examines Bishops and Their Towns.
Quiz: Politics and the State in the Renaissance, 1450-1521
May 30, 2015 By
This quiz tests your knowledge of the Italian city-states during the Renaissance.
Why did Attila leave Italy?
May 27, 2015 By
Reporting on the paper ‘Attila’s Appetite: The Logistics of Attila the Hun’s Invasion of Italy in 452′, by Jason Linn, given at the International Congress on Medieval Studies
Renaissance Splendors in L.A.
May 3, 2015 By
Danielle Trynoski takes in the new Renaissance Splendors of the Northern Italian Courts exhibit at the Getty Center in Lost Angeles
10 Cool Facts about Saint Catherine
April 22, 2015 By
Saint Catherine of Alexandria and her wheel have been well recognized symbols since the beginning of the Middle Ages. Here are 10 interesting tidbits about Saint Catherine:
Books of Art: 20 Medieval and Renaissance Women Reading
April 12, 2015 By
I love to read. I also love books depicted in art. I became fascinated with Medieval and Renaissance pictures of women reading or with books. I noticed while I was walking around the National Gallery, Musèe Cluny and the Louvre recently that there are many beautiful images of women reading or with books. Saints, sinners, and laywomen; I wanted to share a few of my favourites. Here are 20 works of art of women and their books
Teenage Rebellion in the Middle Ages: How Salimbene de Adam became a Franciscan
April 5, 2015 By
It is a popular story – the teenage son defying his parents and doing something very rebellious. It could be using drugs, getting a tattoo, or falling into with the wrong type of people. Back in the thirteenth-century, the rebellious son might become a Franciscan!
Sacerdos et Predicator: Franciscan ‘Experience’ and the Cronica of Salimbene de Adam
April 5, 2015 By
The Chronicle of the thirteenth-century Franciscan friar Salimbene de Adam is filled with an abundance of self-referential passages.
Getty Museum opens Renaissance Splendors of the Northern Italian Courts exhibition
April 1, 2015 By
The J. Paul Getty Museum has opened its newest exhibition – Renaissance Splendors of the Northern Italian Courts – which brings together 25 works including illuminated manuscripts, paintings and drawings that showcases the beautiful artistic production taking place in cities such as Milan and Ferrara during the 15th century.
Lightning Strikes in Medieval Florence
March 29, 2015 By
Luca Landucci writes about lightning strikes in 15th century Florence.
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