Caterina Sforza’s Renaissance Recipe Collection – Eugenio Larosa
In the manuscript titled Experimenti, Caterina Sforza (1463–1509), the regent of Forlì and Imola in Romagna, compiled over four hundred recipes—or more precisely, prescriptions—for medicinal remedies, cosmetics, and alchemical procedures that she documented throughout her life.
Admired by her contemporaries for her political leadership and bravery, and immortalized in 16th-century works, Caterina Sforza shared the deep passion for scientific experimentation that was common among many noblewomen of early modern Europe.
Experimenti has been recognized as a “fundamental text in the history of pharmacology,” as well as alchemy, offering valuable insights into a lesser-known aspect of this remarkable Renaissance figure.
Her experiments encompass a wide variety of topics, ranging from beauty treatments—such as lotions, hair dyes, and lip colors—to remedies for ailments like fevers, coughs, intestinal worms, epilepsy, and cancer.
Naturally, like many alchemical texts, Experimenti includes its most esoteric and sought-after recipe: one for producing the transmutative Philosopher’s Stone and the quintessence, an elixir believed to cure all diseases, protect against illnesses, and prolong youth—perhaps indefinitely.
In the 16th century, the collection and exchange of medical and alchemical knowledge to address the practical needs of daily life were common pursuits for both men and women. Italian archives are filled with such collections; the Magliabechiano Fund in Florence alone contains dozens of similar works.
Within these collections, recipes for beauty waters, oils, and lotions were often attributed to well-known noblewomen, imbuing the recipes with an air of prestige and authenticity, particularly for female readers.
For instance, a 16th-century recipe book attributes rose and lemon distillations to Elisabetta Gonzaga (1471–1526), Duchess of Urbino, while alchemical recipes involving mercury and alum are linked to Isabella d’Aragona (1470–1524), daughter of Alfonso II of Naples.
Similarly, an anonymous Florentine manuscript from the same era describes a hand lotion made from powdered bone and a delicate rose powder said to have originated with Ippolita Sforza of Calabria (1446–1484).
The frequent correspondence between Caterina Sforza and her pharmacist in Forlì, as well as letters sent to her requesting advice or sharing alchemical, medicinal, and cosmetic recipes, suggest that she personally curated the prescriptions included in her manuscript.
The dates of some of these letters indicate that she continued collecting recipes until her death in 1509.
Italian version of this article: https://www.caterinasforza.com/2022/06/experimenti-caterina-sforza-ricettario.html
Caterina Sforza’s Renaissance Recipe Collection – Eugenio Larosa
