Bianca Capello: A Medici Legend in Walpole's Imagination, with Silvia Davoli Strawberry Hill House
Bianca Capello: A Medici Legend in Walpole's Imagination
Talk from Silvia Davoli, Creative Director at Strawberry Hill House
Wednesday 2 April. Doors open at 3:30pm, talk starts at 4pm
Join us at Strawberry Hill House for an enchanting talk exploring the fascinating story of Bianca Capello, the 16th-century Venetian noblewoman who scandalised Renaissance Italy. From her dramatic elopement to her rise as Grand Duchess of Tuscany and her mysterious death, Bianca's remarkable life captured the imagination of collectors, writers, and artists for centuries.
Discover how this captivating figure particularly enthralled Horace Walpole, inspiring both his gothic novel 'The Castle of Otranto' and, remarkably, leading to his creation of the word 'serendipity'—now part of our everyday language. Through Walpole's passionate pursuit of Bianca's portraits and his correspondence with Sir Horace Mann in Florence, we'll uncover how this controversial Medici duchess became a central figure in 18th-century collecting and storytelling.
The talk will reveal new research about recently rediscovered artworks from Walpole's collection and explore how Bianca's legend influenced notable figures from William Beckford to Alexandre Dumas, shaping the Victorian imagination of Renaissance Italy.
This illustrated presentation offers a unique glimpse into the intersection of Renaissance intrigue, 18th-century collecting, and the enduring appeal of a woman who rose from scandal to sovereignty.
Tickets £5
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Bianca Capello: A Medici Legend in Walpole's Imagination
Talk from Silvia Davoli, Creative Director at Strawberry Hill House
Wednesday 2 April. Doors open at 3:30pm, talk starts at 4pm
Join us at Strawberry Hill House for an enchanting talk exploring the fascinating story of Bianca Capello, the 16th-century Venetian noblewoman who scandalised Renaissance Italy. From her dramatic elopement to her rise as Grand Duchess of Tuscany and her mysterious death, Bianca's remarkable life captured the imagination of collectors, writers, and artists for centuries.
Discover how this captivating figure particularly enthralled Horace Walpole, inspiring both his gothic novel 'The Castle of Otranto' and, remarkably, leading to his creation of the word 'serendipity'—now part of our everyday language. Through Walpole's passionate pursuit of Bianca's portraits and his correspondence with Sir Horace Mann in Florence, we'll uncover how this controversial Medici duchess became a central figure in 18th-century collecting and storytelling.
The talk will reveal new research about recently rediscovered artworks from Walpole's collection and explore how Bianca's legend influenced notable figures from William Beckford to Alexandre Dumas, shaping the Victorian imagination of Renaissance Italy.
This illustrated presentation offers a unique glimpse into the intersection of Renaissance intrigue, 18th-century collecting, and the enduring appeal of a woman who rose from scandal to sovereignty.
Tickets £5
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