Caterina Sforza: The Alchemy and Power of a Renaissance Icon

Discover the fascinating life of Caterina Sforza, the renowned Renaissance alchemist and political leader. This video explores the remarkable story of Caterina Sforza, also known as the "tigress of Forli," whose legacy includes not only her fierce political maneuvers but also her profound contributions to alchemy and medicine.

Caterina Sforza's life is a captivating tale of resilience and ingenuity. From her bold defiance against her enemies, even under the most challenging circumstances, to her extensive collection of alchemical and medicinal recipes titled "Experimenti," this video sheds light on her extraordinary achievements. We delve into how she utilized these recipes, not just for personal use but also to enhance her political influence and safeguard her family.

In this video, we explore:

The dramatic events of her life, including her fearless stance against adversaries who threatened her power and her family.
Her vast array of alchemical and medicinal recipes, "Experimenti," detailing their practical applications in everyday life and in political strategies.
The significant role of women in Renaissance alchemy and household medicine, highlighting how Caterina and her contemporaries contributed to the scientific knowledge of the time.
The political and personal motivations that drove Caterina to immerse herself in alchemical practices, revealing a complex interplay between her experiments and her quest for power.
The enduring impact of her work on the Medici family and the broader historical context, showcasing how her legacy influenced future generations in the fields of science and medicine.
Join us as we uncover the secrets behind Caterina Sforza's experiments, from life-prolonging elixirs to invisible ink, and learn how her legacy continues to shape our understanding of science and medicine. This deep dive into her life and work offers a unique perspective on the intersection of gender, power, and scientific inquiry in the Renaissance era.


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Chapters
00:00 - Intro
03:11 - Women and 'Household Alchemy'
15:11 - Caterina Sforza's Experimenti
26:30 - Renaissance Courts and Experimentation Networks
36:20 - Censoring Caterina
41:17 - Final Thoughts

References:
Caterina Sforza, Experimenti de la Ex.ma S.r Caterina da Furli Matre de lo Illux.mo S.r Giovanni de Medici, ed. by P. D. Pasolini, 3 vols. (1894).
Caterina Sforza. Experimenti de la ex.ma s.ra Caterina da Furlj, ed. by P. A. Rossi (2018).
Florence, Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze, Magliabechiana XV 14.
Florence, Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze, Palatino 1021.
Jacopo Filippo Foresti da Bergamo, De plurimus claris selectisque mulieribus (1497).
Niccolò Machiavelli, Discourses on Livy (1531) and The Prince (1532).

Further Reading:
Sheila Barker and Sharon Strocchia, 'Household Medicine for a Renaissance Court', in S. Strocchia and S. Ritchey, pp. 139-165.
Sheila Barker, 'The Contributions of Medici Women to Medicine in Grand Ducal Tuscany and Beyond', in The Grand Ducal Medici and Their Archive (1537-1743), ed. by A. Assonitis and B. Sandberg (2016), pp. 101-116.
Fabrizia Fiumi and Giovanna Tempesta, 'Gli experimenti di Caterina Sforza', in Caterina Sforza: Una Donna del Cinquecento (2000), pp. 139-146.
Natale Graziani and Gabriella Venturelli, Caterina Sforza (2001).
Elaine Leong and Alisha Rankin, 'Testing Drugs and Trying Cures: Experiment and Medicine in Medieval and early Modern Europe', Bulletin of the History of Medicine, 91 (2017), pp. 157-182.
Elizabeth Lev, The Tigress of Forli: Renaissance Italy's Most Corageous and Notorious Countess, Caterina Riario Sforza de' Medici (2011).
Julia Martins, 'Caterina Sforza: Using All the Weapons in Her Arsenal', Living History (2022).
Bruce Moran, Distilling Knowledge: Alchemy, Chemistry, and the Scientific Revolution (2005).
Meredith Ray, Daughters of Alchemy: Women and Scientific Culture in Early Modern Italy (2015).
Sharon Strocchia, Forgotten Healers: Women and the Pursuit of Health in Late Renaissance Italy (2019).
Antonio Torresi, Il ricettario Medici: alchimia, farmacopea, cosmesi e tecnica atistica nella Firenze medicea (2004).
Joyce de Vries, Caterina Sforza and the Art of Appearances: Gender, Art and Culture in Early Modern Italy (2010).

Intro Music:
Folk Round by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...

Artist: http://incompetech.com/