Female Figures on the Moon: Intertwining Science, Philosophy and Literature

Research Seminar

Public event without registration
Data: 07.11.2024
Ora: 11:00 - 13:00
Relatrice: Natacha Fabbri
Luogo: Villino Stroganoff, Via Gregoriana 22, 00187 Rome and online
Contatto: katja.hackstein@biblhertz.it

Female Figures on the Moon: Intertwining Science, Philosophy and Literature

In this lecture, Natacha Fabbri will introduce her recent work on the multifaceted relationship between women and the Moon in Western culture from the 16th to the 19th century. The talk will discuss the pioneering women who studied, described, and depicted the Earth’s satellites, as well as the role that the new image of the Moon played in the debate on the querelle des femmes, serving as a tool to challenge prejudicial readings.

The presentation will delve into scientific, philosophical, and literary works that influenced the interpretations of the relationship between women and the Moon, focusing on the contributions of female astronomers, writers, and painters in shaping the idea of “another Earth in the sky”. This will include an examination of female lunar figures in scientific writings, celestial maps, public spaces, as well as in landscapes of hope and images of desire (Bloch’s Wunschbilder) found in theatrical productions, utopian writings and various models of popular astronomy.

Natacha Fabbri teaches the History of Science at the University of Siena and is in charge of some research projects at the Museo Galileo. Institute and Museum for the History of Science in Florence. She works on the relationship between music and science, women and astronomy, Renaissance and early modern science.

Participation online possible on our Vimeo Platform. Please follow this link: https://vimeo.com/event/4598331

Scientific Organization: Leendert van der Miesen