Collectors, Scientists and Slaves: Islamic Art in Early Modern Italy

  • DATE

    26 April 2026

  • TIME

    2:00 pm to 3:30 pm

  • AGES

    All ages welcome

  • PRICE

    Free

  • TICKET INFO

    Book tickets

  • FORMAT

    Online

  • THEME

    History

    Read

  • ORGANISER

    MACFEST (Muslim Arts and Culture Festival)

Join us for a fascinating online event featuring Dr. Federica Gigante, a renowned historian and researcher specializing in Islamic art and cross-cultural exchange, as she delves into the presence and influence of Islamic objects in 17th-century Italy.

In a time often seen as dominated by European art and culture, Italy’s elite collectors and scholars were also deeply engaged with the Islamic world—acquiring objects, manuscripts, scientific instruments, and luxury goods from across the Mediterranean and beyond.

Dr. Federica Gigante is a scholar of Islamic art and material culture, with a particular focus on the movement of Islamic objects in early modern Europe. She is known for her accessible and engaging approach to academic history, bridging the gap between scholarly research and public understanding.

Presented by: Dr Federica Gigante, historian and researcher.

Hosted by: Asma Younus, BBC Radio Presenter.

Chief Guest: Chris Sacarabany, Executive Director of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU).