Lucrezia Borgia confounded her image as murderous and promiscuous by commissioning church buildings and artefacts; Alfonsina Orsini used architecture and sculpture to negotiate for power. Isabella d’Este, Marchioness of Mantova, described herself as “Hungry For Art” and was unscrupulous in building a collection, which was to become one of the wonders of Italy. Who were these women and how did they overcome social constraints and their restricted means to contribute to the glory of the age?
A request for Christmas Lunch tickets can be made to Max Clay after the September lecture.