Album: Curator and conservator speak of 'stellar women'

Presenter Linda Falcone interviews National Central Library conservator Alessandro Sidoti and Natacha Fabbri, scientific curator from Museo Galileo and co-curator of 'Women of the Skies: From Muses to Scientists', on location at the exhibition, for the May 2024 episode of 'Restoration Conversations', sponsored by Calliope Arts.

"We begin in the 1500s and follow a path that is long and discontinuous, which is marked by success and by failure," says Fabbri. "We are exploring the progressive introduction of women into the field of Astronomy, and their struggle for equality." Dr. Sidoti adds to the conversation, discussing the challenges of exhibiting rare books and manuscripts from a conservator's perspective.

National Central Library

Entering the NCL, Florence

'Women of the Sky' exhibition

Staircase to the stars

In the temple of the stars

Fabbri discusses the show

Co-curator Natacha Fabbri

Discussing rare books

Rare book from the NCL

Conservator A. Sidoti

Buontalenti's allegories

'Stellar' vault, Sala Dante

Buontalent's sketch

Sidoti and Falcone at the NCL

"Dignity & Nobility of Women"

Album photo credits: Bunker Film, Calliope Arts Archives, 2024

Women of the Sky: From Muses to Scientists

National Central Library of Florence, Dante Hall

Exhibition organisers: Galileo Museum and the Central National Library of Florence

Co-curators: Natacha Fabbri, Caterina Guiducci and Simona Mammana

This exhibition enjoys the patronage of the Municipality of Florence, with the support of Regione Toscana, GiovaniSì, InContemporanea, Caserma Archeologica, with thanks to donors Calliope Arts.

Broadcast media partners: Restoration Conversations magazine and The Florentine

Broadcast filming: Bunker Film