Intrigue abounds as we learn how 16th century Italian courts schemed and fought to maintain their power, as we read about in Maggie O'Farrell's latest historical novel, The Marriage Portrait. In the swirl of wars and murder, we talk about how women in different courts distinguished themselves and the roles they played. We also talk about some of the finer things in Renaissance life, such as art, music, and fashion. Our guide in this immersion is Dr. Deanna Shemek, a University of California Irvine professor and Italian expert who specializes in Italian literature, Italian and European history, women and gender studies, and Renaissance and early modern studies. We learn a lot and share some laughs, too!
