Glass, Books, Perfume: Venice and the World.

From Northern Europe across the Mediterranean to the East, Renaissance Venice was an emporium for exchange.  Among the precious items that the city both traded and produced were glass, books, and perfume. This talk will explore the intertwining histories of these industries and their profound impact on Venetian society, economy, and global influence. Venetian glassmakers, protected by the strict regulations of the Murano guilds, created dazzling works that symbolized wealth and refinement. The city’s publishing industry flourished under figures like Aldus Manutius, transforming Venice into a hub of Renaissance humanism and intellectual exchange. Meanwhile, the production and trade of perfumes—crafted from exotic ingredients sourced through Venetian merchants—reflected the city's deep connections to the Islamic world, Byzantium, and beyond.