Ep. 12: From Frescoes to Filters: Renaissance Florence's Beauty Obsessions

Ep. 12: From Frescoes to Filters: Renaissance Florence's Beauty Obsessions

Author: Danielle Oteri January 17, 2025 Duration: 28:07

Note for subscribers: Our monthly Zoom is on January 21st at 8 pm ET and the link is the Tante Belle Cose community. If you can’t make it, email me your question. I’ll answer it live and share the recording the next day.

Florence is experiencing some of the world’s worst over-tourism, with wine windows and big sandwiches overshadowing the best reason to go there: art. In this episode, I hope to inspire you to step into the world of the Renaissance by introducing you to the Tornabuoni family. They were the second wealthiest family in Florence, next to the Medici, and their lives can be easily compared to those of the billionaire class of New York City or Silicon Valley.

In particular, you’ll meet 14-year-old Ludovica Tornabuoni and learn how she would have used horse urine to dye her blonde hair and the toxic herb belladonna to dilate her pupils, conforming to the beauty standards of her day.

This deep dive into the Renaissance offers a few solutions to Florence's toxic tourism. We can play a vital role in preserving Florence's cultural legacy by shifting focus from fleeting social media trends to the city's enduring artisanal traditions—be it leather crafting, paper marbling, or art restoration. If you think you’re not an “art or museum person,” give this a listen, and let me know if I’ve changed your mind in the comments.

00:38 Falling in Love with Florence

00:57 The Art of Florence

01:49 Experiencing Art in Its Original Setting

02:45 Overtourism in Florence

04:43 A Different Perspective on Florence

04:59 Exploring Santa Maria Novella

08:18 The Tornabuoni Chapel

18:18 Beauty Ideals in Renaissance Florence

24:14 Florentine Artisan Heritage

27:28 Conclusion and Subscriber Community



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danielleoteri.com/subscribe

There’s a certain magic to traveling in Italy that goes beyond checking sights off a list-it’s in the texture of daily life, a shared meal, or a story passed down through generations. Tante Belle Cose captures that feeling. Hosted by Danielle Oteri, founder of Feast Travel, this podcast feels like a series of deep, rewarding conversations with a friend who truly knows the place. You’ll hear immersive narratives that transport you to a sun-drenched piazza or a quiet vineyard, alongside genuinely practical advice for navigating the nuances of Italian culture, food, and history. The episodes are thoughtfully crafted; some serve as a guide to planning your journey, while others simply pull you into the rich tapestry of Italian life, planting seeds for future adventures. Danielle’s expertise as a guide and storyteller makes each listen both an escape and a toolkit. Tuning into this podcast is more than just research-it’s an invitation to appreciate the many beautiful details, the *tante belle cose*, that make Italy so captivating. For those who dive deeper, there’s also access to a dedicated travel community moderated by Danielle, offering continued connection and insight beyond the audio.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 42

Danielle Oteri's Italy
Podcast Episodes
Italy, On Your Terms—New Off-Season Trips for 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:42
Paid subscribers, tonight is the premiere of the Naples Destination Deep Dive! See you at 8 pm ET. The replay will be sent out tomorrow and will be available until Monday. The Zoom link was sent last week and will be pos…
Ep. 28: How To Renovate a Home in Italy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:48
Purchasing a home in Italy is a dream of many. In the 1990s, Tuscany was the most popular region, as well as a more affordable alternative to France, following the publication of the 1989 book “A Year in Provence,” which…
Ep. 27: Questions You Need to Answer Before You Start Trip Planning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:50
Let’s talk about how late 2025 is the perfect time to think about your trip, before you start planning it.A Rare Invitation: October 2025 Research TripBefore diving into my trip-planning strategy, I have something specia…
Ep. 26: Fra Angelico: Art, Spirit, and the San Marco Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:54
This episode is about the magic of Fra Angelico, the Renaissance “angelic painter” behind Florence’s most tranquil and moving frescoes. I’m joined by historian Alexandra Lawrence, who shares the thrill of experiencing ar…
Ep. 25: Murder, Music & the Madness Behind a Genius [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:13
Warning: this episode contains grisly descriptions of a historical double murder.Episode 25 looks at the brilliant and violent life of Carlo Gesualdo — the Renaissance prince who murdered his wife and her lover, then ret…
Ep. 24: Q&A "What the heck is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:39
Upcoming Events for Paid Subscribers🗓️ Ask Me Anything About Italy – Wednesday, July 24 at 8 pm ET - The Zoom link will be sent to subscribers on Thursday afternoon!🗓️ Destination Deep Dive: Florence – Wednesday, July 31…
Ep. 23: The Real Godfather of Arthur Avenue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:06
Subscribe to support this podcast and get access to exclusive monthly Zoom Q&As and Destination Deep Dives for just $8/month or $80/year at danielleoteri.com.This week, in honor of the 4th of July, I’m taking you to a pi…
Introducing the Destination Deep Dive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:25
I’m thrilled to introduce the Destination Deep Dive — a live Zoom session where I will unfold one destination or itinerary in Italy.This isn’t a tidy region-by-region breakdown a la Stanley Tucci. (No offense to the Tooc…
Ep. 21: The Best Cooking Classes in Tuscany and Puglia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:24
Cooking classes are now on nearly every Italy itinerary—and for good reason. Food is one of the most intimate ways to understand Italy’s culture and traditions. But as tourism to Italy has exploded, so has the number of…