International bestselling historical novelist Sarah Dunant explains how extensive research helps her to penetrate the hidden worlds of the Renaissance. Dunant is author of the Renaissance trilogy, The Birth of Venice, In the Company of the Courtesan, and Sacred Hearts, and also of Blood and Beauty, the story of the Borgias.

In this illustrated talk, Dunant shares the secrets of her trade, describing how she visits churches, archives, museums and art galleries all over Italy in order to bring life to her stories. And she explains how the decoding of old paintings and the work of modern historians has helped her to find characters,  to recreate everyday life and drama in the palaces, brothels, convents, and even the Vatican and to explore the complexities of politics and religion.

Dunant’s historical novels have been translated into more than 30 languages. She has worked widely in television, radio and print, and has written ten novels and edited two collections of essays.