ESHS/HSS Annual Meeting

La Serenissima in Vial and Powder: Mineral Remedies in the Ricettari of Early Modern Venice

• In Event: UNEARTHED II: Res inanimatae in Late Medieval and Early Modern Medicine

English Abstract

This paper examines the role of minerals in Venetian ricettari (recipe books), focusing on their use in early modern pharmacy and medicine. Venetian ricettari, practical manuals used by apothecaries, offer a unique window into the material culture of medicine, blending empirical knowledge, alchemical practices, and commercial concerns. Minerals, with their perceived transformative and curative properties, were central to many recipes, ranging from simple remedies to complex preparations. Drawing on archival sources, including Venetian ricettari from the 15th to 17th centuries, this paper investigates how minerals such as mercury, antimony, and various salts were prepared, combined, and administered. It explores the theoretical frameworks that justified their use, including humoral theory and alchemical principles, as well as the practical challenges of sourcing, refining, and standardising these substances. Special attention is given to the role of Venice as a centre of trade and knowledge exchange, which facilitated access to minerals and influenced local pharmaceutical practices. The paper aims to answer the following questions: How were minerals integrated into the medical marketplace of Venice? What do these recipes reveal about the intersection of medicine and commerce? How did Venetian apothecaries navigate the tension between empirical practice and theoretical knowledge? By analysing the mineral content of Venetian ricettari, this paper sheds light on the dynamic interplay between natural substances, medical theory, and the economic networks of early modern Europe.

Author

• Sarah Seinitzer, Universität Wien / Università di Bologna