A two-day conference exploring representations of gendered violence in early modern literature and art will take place in Durham on 10–11 June 2026. Organised by Professor Ita Mac Carthy and supported by The British Academy, the event combines the launch of the new Daphne and her Sisters research project with a concluding series of readings dedicated to Matteo Maria Boiardo’s Inamoramento de Orlando.
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures is delighted to announce the forthcoming conference Daphne and her Sisters: Framing Gendered Violence in Early Modern Literature and Art, taking place in Durham on 10–11 June 2026.
Organised by Professor Ita Mac Carthy (Italian Studies, MLAC; Director of the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies) and supported by The British Academy, the conference brings together scholars from a range of disciplines to examine representations of gendered violence in early modern literature and art, and to reflect on their continuing relevance today.
Both in-person and online attendance are available. Advance registration is required as places are limited.
The conference is structured as a two-day event, combining the launch of an ambitious new research initiative with a celebration of Italian literary culture.
The first day, on 10 June, marks the official launch of the four-year research project Daphne and her Sisters (2025–2029), based at the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies as part of the Inventing Futures programme.
The project explores how narratives of gendered violence were framed, represented, and transmitted in early modern culture, while also opening conversations about their resonance in the present day. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the project’s aims, planned activities, and opportunities for involvement.
Speakers from multiple disciplines will contribute to the programme, with most papers delivered in English.
The second day, on 11 June, will focus on Matteo Maria Boiardo and will conclude a three-year programme of close readings of the Inamoramento de Orlando.
Across the day, participants will read and discuss the remaining nine cantos of Book Three, bringing to a close a long-running scholarly journey through one of the great works of Italian chivalric literature. Readings will primarily be in Italian.
The Daphne and her Sisters project is generously funded by Joanna and Graham Barker and is one of the three pilot projects within the Inventing Futures programme at the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies.
The conference offers an opportunity not only to engage with current research, but also to become involved in a growing interdisciplinary network exploring literature, art, history, and gender studies.
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