the women were all herbalists, alchemists and philosophers, ‘the precursors of doctors, chemists and scientists of our time’, yet never recognised by History, in fact erased from official texts.

‘Wood engraving is also notable in that women are very visible – more so, I feel than for other mediums’.

… her teacher advised her to tip all her art materials into the sea…

it is about relationships, many of which were begun at art school, and which were to prove long-lasting.

In 1569 she had the signal honour of seeing her altarpiece of St Thomas Villanuova carried in solemn procession around the streets of Bologna before it was formally blessed and installed in the church of San Giacomo Maggiore.