Stories written by women, donated by women, and about women are the theme of this female-centric exhibition from the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana.
Where previous exhibitions focused on displaying the oldest manuscripts, this one has only the female influence in mind. As a result, the time spanned by the works range from 7/6 B.C to the early 20th century. Basically, if a woman’s related to it, it’s in. There are 66 such manuscripts divided into 6 sections chronologically, starting with female-authored texts. These come in a variety of forms: poems, memoirs, public and private letters. Then we move on to texts dedicated to women and finally manuscripts that belonged to women that were donated to the Biblioteca. In the texts, you’ll find a variety of personalities-from well known figures of the aristocracy to unknown nuns.
Although this is the first time the idea of the ‘female voice’ is being explored, at least it’s being explored in depth. The end of the exhibit has a touch screen where you can see the faces and biographies of some of the women featuring in the exhibition, allowing you to put a face to the voice.
Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana
9 Piazza San Lorenzo, 50123 Florence
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9.30–13.30