Wednesday, November 07, 2012 - 06:30 PM Even more than the arts, it was the sciences that flourished under the Medici grand dukes, as evidenced in the over four million letters that make up the Medici Granducal Archive. Alessio Assonitis will examine some of the more fantastic chronicles from the archive: meteorological and astronomical anomalies; archaeological discoveries, technological contraptions and medical absurdities; eccentric individuals, bizarre objects and supernatural events. Sheila Barker will show how the Medici grand dukes and grand duchesses took active roles in scientific activity, including developing new medicines, carrying out chemical experiments, planning mining operations, and introducing exotic plant species to Tuscany. The repercussions of the scientific ferment of this 200-year dynasty can be found in their court entertainments, arts, military technology, industry, cuisine, espionage and assassination techniques. This lecture is sponsored by the Medici Archive Project, Florence, and Arader Galleries, New York and Houston. Click here for more information
