The Bibliollama

Title: How to be a Renaissance Woman
Author: Jill Burke
Dates read: 30/03/25 - 21/04/25
Rating 3/5

Publisher: Wellcome Collection
Number of pages: 338
Fiction or non-fiction: nonfiction
Subject or genre: art, feminism, history

Book blurb:
Plunge into the intimate history of cosmetics, and discover how, for centuries, women have turned to make up as a rich source of creativity, community and resistance

The Renaissance was an era obsessed with appearances. And beauty culture from the time has left traces that give us a window into an overlooked realm of history - revealing everything from sixteenth-century women's body anxieties to their sophisticated botanical and chemical knowledge.

How to be a Renaissance Woman allows us to glimpse the world of the female artists, artisans and businesswomen carving out space for themselves, as well as those who gained power and influence in the cut-throat world of the court.

In a vivid exploration of women's lives, Professor Jill Burke invites us to rediscover historical cosmetic recipes and unpack the origins of the beauty ideals that are still with us today.

How I discovered or acquired this book: I searched the 'art' section of Borrowbox for something that would fit the prompt 'Nonfiction about visual art or an artist' on The StoryGraph's Genre Challenge 2025

My thoughts This one was an interesting but slightly uneven read for me. Jill Burke’s How to Be a Renaissance Woman is a fascinating look at the lives, expectations, and realities of women in Renaissance Europe - challenging the polished, often idealised image that history books (and art galleries!) have offered us for years.

There were parts I found genuinely engaging, especially when Burke zoomed in on the day-to-day details and individual women’s stories. The blend of art, history, and social commentary was thoughtful, and I appreciated how the book tried to cut through the romanticism of the period.

But I struggled a little with the flow and structure — at times it felt more like a collection of loosely connected essays rather than a cohesive narrative. While the content was definitely informative, it didn’t always hold my attention the way I hoped it would.

Overall, I’m glad I read it - it offered fresh perspectives and plenty to think about - but it didn’t completely click for me. A solid 3 stars!