How to be a Renaissance woman

£11.99

Plunge into the intimate history of cosmetics, and discover how, for centuries, women have turned to make up as a rich source of creativity, community and resistance. The Renaissance was an era obsessed with appearances. And beauty culture from the time has left traces that give us a window into an overlooked realm of history – revealing everything from 16th-century women’s body anxieties to their sophisticated botanical and chemical knowledge. ‘How to be a Renaissance Woman’ allows us to glimpse the world of the female artists, artisans and businesswomen carving out space for themselves, as well as those who gained power and influence in the cut-throat world of the court. In a vivid exploration into women’s lives, Professor Jill Burke invites us to rediscover historical cosmetic recipes and unpack the origins of the beauty ideals that are still with us today.

In stock

Description

*A Waterstones Best Book of 2023**A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week**A New York Times Editor’s Pick*’Terrific’ SARAH DUNANT’Lively and intriguing … You’ll never look at Renaissance portraits in the same way’ MAGGIE O’FARRELL’Highlights a rich tapestry of female experience that encompasses everyone from artisans to aristocrats …’ THE TIMESThis is the story of the Renaissance, but not as you know it. Discover overlooked and silenced women from this extraordinary moment in history and how they forged opportunities for creativity, community and resistance. From the bedchamber to the court, they give us an intimate window into what life was really like – and hold a mirror up to our contemporary obsession with how we look.’A witty and engaging history of cosmetics and beauty … lavishly illustrated and hugely entertaining’ IRISH TIMES’A total eye-opener, I loved it’ NUALA McGOVERN

Additional information

Weight 280 g
Dimensions 196 × 128 × 28 mm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

336

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

391.6309409031 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K