Ep. 12: From Frescoes to Filters: Renaissance Florence's Beauty Obsessions

Note for subscribers: Our monthly Zoom is on January 21st at 8 pm ET and the link is the Tante Belle Cose community. If you can’t make it, email me your question. I’ll answer it live and share the recording the next day. Florence is experiencing some of the world’s worst over-tourism, with wine windows and big sandwiches overshadowing the best reason to go there: art. In this episode, I hope to inspire you to step into the world of the Renaissance by introducing you to the Tornabuoni family. They were the second wealthiest family in Florence, next to the Medici, and their lives can be easily compared to those of the billionaire class of New York City or Silicon Valley. In particular, you’ll meet 14-year-old Ludovica Tornabuoni and learn how she would have used horse urine to dye her blonde hair and the toxic herb belladonna to dilate her pupils, conforming to the beauty standards of her day. This deep dive into the Renaissance offers a few solutions to Florence's toxic tourism. We can play a vital role in preserving Florence's cultural legacy by shifting focus from fleeting social media trends to the city's enduring artisanal traditions—be it leather crafting, paper marbling, or art restoration. If you think you’re not an “art or museum person,” give this a listen, and let me know if I’ve changed your mind in the comments. 00:38 Falling in Love with Florence00:57 The Art of Florence01:49 Experiencing Art in Its Original Setting02:45 Overtourism in Florence04:43 A Different Perspective on Florence04:59 Exploring Santa Maria Novella08:18 The Tornabuoni Chapel18:18 Beauty Ideals in Renaissance Florence24:14 Florentine Artisan Heritage27:28 Conclusion and Subscriber Community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danielleoteri.com/subscribe