SCAtoday.net - 1401 CE to 1500 CE

300 rare Jewish books returned to Israel from Iraq

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:23:22 -0400

300 rare Jewish books, confiscated from Iraq's Jewish community during the regime of Saddam Hussein, have been returned to Israel. The works included a 15th century commentary on the biblical Book of Job.

A Muromachi period Tale of Genji manuscript found in Tokyo

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:43:53 -0400

The discovery of a rare full set of chapters of the 11th century The Tale of Genji, believed to be the world's oldest novel, has been found in a private collection in Tokyo.

Italian Renaissance garb exhibit in Washington, D.C. until July 31, 2008

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:27:28 -0400

The Italian Culture Institute in Washington will present Splendors of the Renaissance: Princely Attire in Italy until July 31, 2008. The exhibit is open by appointment only and I.D. is required.

Scribing hazardous to health of medieval monks

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:53:02 -0400

New research on the bones of monks interred in six Danish cemeteries shows that the brothers may have been exposed to toxic mercury while copying Biblical texts. Mercury was used in the preparation of red ink.

"Michelangelo Code" latest renaissance mystery

Sun, 6 Jul 2008 08:03:26 -0400

Reminiscent of "The Da Vinci Code," a decades-old mystery involves the claim that Michelangelo painted subversive messages into his frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, including "secret" profile of the medieval poet Dante and a portrait of Jesus on the cross.

Renaissance textiles in Kansas City

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:49:24 -0400

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri will present Revealing, Reversible and Resplendent: 15th-17th-Century Italian and Spanish Textiles through August 17, 2008. The exhibit includes elaborately-embroidered and woven religious and secular pieces (photo)

Bowdoin College Museum of Art presents exhibit on Renaissance marriage

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:52:09 -0400

Beauty and Duty: The Art and Business of Renaissance Marriage, an exhibit which "examines the manner in which art played a vital role in the rituals and celebrations of Renaissance marriage" will be on display at the Bowdoin College Art Museum (Brunswick, Maine) until July 27, 2008. The event's website also includes games and activities for children.

New book claims China started the Renaissance

Sun, 8 Jun 2008 15:12:24 -0400

“A sophisticated Chinese delegation visited Italy in 1434, sparked the Renaissance and forever changed the course of Western civilization." This is the premise of a controversial new book by Gavin Menzies 1421: The Year China Discovered the World.

The Soldier in later Medieval England

Sat, 24 May 2008 16:44:02 -0400

An innovative new research project, sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, will look at the life of the professional soldier in England from 1369 to 1453.

Columbus-era ship yields wealth of artifacts

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:16:03 -0400

Geologists from De Beers, the diamond company, have discovered the wreck of a late 15th or early 16th century ship loaded with Spanish and Portuguese treasure behind a seawall in Namibia.

Tibetan Arms and Armor at Met

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:18:52 -0400

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City will host Tibetan Arms and Armor from the Permanent Collection through fall 2009 in the Arms and Armor Galleries, 1st floor, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gallery.

Lord Edward Mac Tavish achieves Veneur at Gulf Wars XVII

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:49:54 -0400

Lord Edward MacTavish was recognized as Veneur, the highest level of Hunter in the Hunt Guild Persona Challenge. He challenged each level over the course of several years at Gulf Wars.

David gets a facelift

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:32:52 -0400

Donatello's David, the 15th century masterpiece housed at Florence's Bargello Museum, has had "work done" in the form of laser treatment to clean off residue, including gold leaf used "on the statue to highlight its wavy hair and clothing."

Plans to exhume Galileo cause controversy

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:02:28 -0400

Plans to exhume the body of Renaissance scientist Galileo Galilei in order to test his DNA and establish the cause of his blindness have caused problems with the Catholic Church. The Rector of the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Florence, where Galileo is buried, is opposed to the exhumation.

Purloined map returned to Spain

Sat, 8 Mar 2008 11:17:12 -0500

A rare 15th century Ptolemy world view map stolen in 2007 from the National library of Spain has been discovered in a Sydney, Australia art gallery and returned to Spain.