Dangerous Beauty: How Victorian Cosmetics Were Actually Poison
Focus: Romance novels or art history (e.g., the Medusa myth). Dangerous Beauty
Ask readers if they think modern "influence" mirrors the social power of the Renaissance salon. Option 2: Toxic History & Deadly Cosmetics Dangerous Beauty
Analyze the famous trial where her wit becomes her greatest defense against charges of witchcraft. Dangerous Beauty
Focus: Feminism, Renaissance Venice, and the real-life poet Veronica Franco.
Dying for a Look: The Toxic History of Lead and Arsenic Makeup
Describe the "perfect" pale look of the 18th century, then reveal it was often achieved using Venetian ceruse—a mixture of white lead and vinegar. Fascinating (and Terrifying) Facts: