#115 How to be a Renaissance Woman: A Conversation with Professor Jill Burke

Saturday, February 7th Live on Zoom

10am Los Angeles / 1pm New York / 6pm London / 7pm Florence

Dive into the intimate history of cosmetics, and discover how, for centuries, women have turned to makeup as a rich source of creativity, community, and resistance.  The Renaissance was an era obsessed with appearances.  Beauty culture from the time has left traces that give us a window into an overlooked realm of history – revealing everything from 16^th century women's body anxieties to their sophisticated botanical and chemical knowledge.  Professor Burke’s award-winning book, How To Be A Renaissance Woman, offers a glimpse into the world of the era’s female artists, artisans, and businesswomen who were carving out space for themselves, as well as those women who gained power and influence in the cutthroat world of the Renaissance Court.  In a vivid exploration of women's lives, Professor Burke invites us to rediscover historical cosmetic recipes and unpack the origins of beauty ideals that are still with us today.  “Taking a fresh, women-led perspective, Burke highlights a rich tapestry of female experience that encompasses everyone from artisans to aristocrats ... The everyday women mixing their own beauty products should rightly be considered chemists and botanists” (The Times of London); “A fun, informative, and occasionally sobering look at the lives of women across social strata ... The real shock of the book is not what's unfamiliar; it is how much of it seems to mirror today's obsessions and controversies.” (The New York Times)

Jill Burke is Chair of Renaissance Visual and Material Culture at the University of Edinburgh and an internationally-recognized specialist in the art, objects, and lived experiences of Renaissance Italy.  Her work brings this period to life through stories of patronage, beauty, bodies, and identity, drawing on cutting-edge research into art, materials, and everyday practices from painting and sculpture to cosmetics and clothing.  An award-winning author, curator, and public historian, she is known for making complex ideas engaging and accessible, offering audiences a compelling way to see the Renaissance anew.  She received a BA in History from Oxford University, and her MA and PhD from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, with a postdoctoral fellowship at the Harvard Center for Italian Renaissance Studies in Florence.  She has been teaching at the University of Edinburgh since 2003.

A “sneak peek” from Paola: June 23-29, 2026, I will be leading a 5-day tour in Florence with Professor Jill Burke, based on the theme of her book.  We will explore ways to “be a Renaissance Woman” in our own day and age!  More details to come…

To RSVP: Paola50122@gmail.com

Minimum suggested donation: $28

This talk is free for Friends of Paola's Studiolo!

Look forward to seeing you on Zoom!