caterina sforza experimenti · caterina sforza was no exception. the countess of imola devoted her...

EXPERIMENTI OFCATERINA SFORZA

15th Century Beauty & Hygiene Recipes from the Tigress of Forli

IDEAL BEAUTY

"EXPERIMENTS"

HER TOILETTE

Pale skin, fair hair, rosy lips/ cheeks,high forehead, thin eyebrows, and curlswere all the rage in the 15th C. Likenow, women wanted to have and keepthese characteristics. Caterina Sforzawas no exception.

The Countess of Imola devoted herprivate time to experiments inherbalism hygiene, health, and beauty.We have 454 recipes from her stillroom book handed down to her son,Giovanni de' Medici.

Cleansing the mouth and face, combingthe hair, applying a whitener, as wellas applying rossetto, body powder, andperfumes were all part of the dailyritual of a noblewoman.

Maestra Giata Magdalena Alberti Presents

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INGREDIENTS

ACCOUTREMENTS

IDEAL BEAUTY

Tooth powder of sage & salt. Cold creamof rosewater, wax, & oil. Body powder ofrice flour, clove, cinnamon, & musk.Perfume oils of rose, orange flowerblossoms, lavender, and jasmine, &amber. Foundation of cerussa (TiO2),styrax, oil, & rosewater. Rossetto of acquavitae (grappa) infused with redsandalwood. Braided hair after scalpcleansed daily with infused rosewater(clove, rose petals, nutmeg, watercress,galangal).

Linen cloths, cotton cloth strips, toothpick, bowl of water, sea sponges,tweezers, ear scoop, various small potsand ceramic or glass jars to hold therosewater and cosmetic preparations.

TRIVIA: How are Giovanni dei Medicidalle Bande Nere and Cesere Borgiaconnected to Caterina Sforza?

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Maestra Giata Magdalena Alberti