ABSTRACT
The chapter discusses a satirical short story about women's cosmetic practices from the moralizing and humorous collection Trecentonovelle (Three hundred tales) by Italian author Franco Sacchetti (ca. 1395). Set within the moral framework of Trecento satire and the artistic milieu of Florence, the story redefines cosmetic practice as an artistic act, referencing traditional misogynistic arguments against face-painting. By portraying women's beautifying skills as forms of painting and sculpting, Sacchetti transforms a moral critique into an exploration of artistic creation. In this context, women emerge as creative entities whose aesthetic proficiency rivals that of Florentine visual artists.
