Sharing the Medici Archive with the World.

MAP FORUM PRESENTS: Tuesday, 17 February 2026 @ 5pm EST/11pm CET

Twenty-Five Women Who Shaped the Italian Renaissance re-centers the story of the Renaissance by placing women at the heart of its artistic and cultural achievements. The book highlights figures such as Caterina Sforza, who defended her city militarily; Veronica Franco, whose poetry captivated Europe; Sofonisba Anguissola, celebrated for her innovative portraiture; Isabella Andreini, a pioneering actress; and Margherita Sarrocchi, a poet and intellectual who corresponded with Galileo. Though often overlooked in traditional histories, these women navigated limited educational access, social constraints, and rigid expectations about gender. Meredith Ray is Krieger-Eisenhower Professor of Italian at Johns Hopkins University.