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What does our intriguing portrait of Eleonora di Toledo reveal about this extraordinary woman? After arriving in Florence in 1539 as the 17-year-old bride of Duke Cosimo de’Medici, how did she succeed in following the demands of court etiquette while maintaining her own personal style? 

Join Dr Elizabeth Currie to discover how, in the following two decades after her arrival, Eleonora helped shape the identity and international standing of the Florentine court. Through surviving letters and documents, Dr Currie will discuss her exacting taste and her involvement in commissioning clothing for herself, family relatives, and members of her entourage. 

About the speaker: Dr Elizabeth Currie is a historian and lecturer with a particular focus on early modern Italy. She teaches at Central Saint Martins and has written extensively for academic and general audiences, including contributions to numerous exhibition catalogues. Her books include Fashion and Masculinity in Renaissance Florence (Bloomsbury Academic, 2016), Street Style: Art and Dress in the Time of Caravaggio (Reaktion Books, 2025), and the co-authored Women Textile Designers (Thames & Hudson/V&A, 2026). 

Take part at the museum: No ticket required, drop in on the day. Join us in the Theatre for this special talk.  

Watch online: This talk will also be broadcast live from the museum via Zoom. Book a free ticket online to receive a Zoom link. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks only.