Francesco I de' Medici and Bianca Cappello

Francesco I de’ Medici had only two passions in life: alchemy and Bianca Cappello. Which of the two was more precious to him is difficult to say, but what is certain is that both led to his death. The first son of Cosimo I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, Francesco inherited the title and the political entity, but he was unable to govern it effectively.  Francesco spent much of his time in his laboratories surrounded by scholars and  was blinded  by passion for a shrewd woman who he  married against all advice. The empire Cosimo I had built for his family and his city risked ruin and Francesco’s younger brother, Ferdinando, was unwilling to stand by and watch.  Francesco and Bianca’s sudden death in 1587 is a mystery still today — not even modern science has been able to solve the enigma — with Ferdinando, successor to the title of Grand Duke, as the primary and only suspect. 

Simon Gammell will explore this intriguing story with the authors of a non-ficton narrative version (Stefano Corazzini: A Medici in Love) and a novel (Gigi Berardi: Bianca’s Cure)  They will explore how the two different approaches contrast in deepening our understanding of the story and its historical context.

If you are in Florence and would like to attend the lecture in person at the British Institute Library, please register here or send an email to bif@britishinstitute.it.

The registration fee is 10 Euro per person.