Alessandro de’ Medici wielded great power as the first duke of Florence. He was the patron of some of the leading artists of the era and is one of the two Medici princes whose remains are buried in the famous tomb by Michaelangelo. The ethnic make up of this Medici Prince makes him the first … More Duke Alessandro, Black Medici, & Africans In Italian Renaissance Art
I have been nominated by the Liebster Award by Fionn of Broider Me ‘Bethan (Grazie!) You can find her blog at http://broidermebethan.blogspot.com.au/ She wrote: “I really enjoy your blog, so I have nominated you for a Liebster Award, (which you are free to accept or refuse.) The Liebster Award is basically an award that is … More Liebster Award Nomination!
An impresa (plural imprese) is a variant of the badge which became particularly popular in the 15th and 16th centuries. The one below is the impresa of Piero dei Medici. This next one is the sole raggiante, or ragged sun, of the Sforza. You can also see and read more on Sforza imprese here: http://www.storiadimilano.it/arte/imprese/Imprese05.htm … More Imprese, The Italian Renaissance Heraldic Badge
I’m happy to announce that I have readied the menu for a period Italian fundraiser feast at Gulf Wars. The feast will be held at the Ca’ d’Oro Renaissance Salon and Italian Apothecary on Artisan’s Row. We will serve three courses made as they would have been in 15th century Italian city-states. To offer your … More Italian Feast at Gulf Wars
I want to invite you to visit Aromatario del Giglio, the La Bella Donna Apothecary! Here is the link, https://squareup.com/market/la-bella-donna-apothecary I’ve just made a fresh batch of Rossetto, our 15th Century Italian Rouge. Another perfect addition to your living history kit or your modern organic eco-toilette! This cheek and lip stain is made from organic … More Aromatario del Giglio – 15th Century Rossetto (Rouge)
Bassetta, as researched by Giata Magdalena Alberti Introduction Bassetta, according to Giovanni Florio’s Worlde of Wordes is a card game in Renaissance Italy. Game historians list Bassetta, known as Basset in English and Bassette in French, as the most notorious multi-player gambling pastime of Europe from the 15th to 18th Centuries. It is considered a … More Bassetta – A Renaissance Italian Card Game
LAURA CERETA (1469-1499) Unlike most female humanists of her time, Laura Cereta’s early education came not from her father or some distinguished male tutor, but from women. Born into an upper middle class family, the daughter of Brescian attorney and magistrate Silvestro Cereta, at the age of seven Laura was sent away to a convent for … More Laura Cereta
When thinking about developing your persona one easy way to slip into character is to use language. For instance when I say “Hello” it is a much different feel than when I say “Buongiorno“. To help those of the Italian persuasion I have compiled a list of titles for use in persona below. Prego! … More Royal Styles of Address
What types of fabrics were worn in Italian City-States during the quattrocento? Where were they made? Cotone is Cotton Cotton was imported into Italy from Greece and Egypt as early as the docento. Sicily was also “a major exporter of unprocessed cotton and an importer of finished cloth.” The fabric was worn by … More Quattrocento Fabrics
Salve! Many of those who join a living history organization do so to concentrate on research of the arts and sciences for the chosen time period. Of those hobbyists there are quite a few who go beyond picking a time and place and topic of study. These are the ones this post concerns, the ones … More Developing a Northern Italian Persona (1400 – 1600)
La Bella Donna 