From Dr Adelina Modesti

I was very saddened to hear about Shona's passing. We first met at the RSA conference in Venice in 2010, when Shona introduced herself as a fellow researcher of Bolognese social history. I remember her enthusiasm and genuine interest in my work (seventeenth century Bolognese women artists), and willingness to discuss her own research . She was working on Bolognese professors and their families, and was interested in education in the city in the early modern period, especially of women, on which I had done some work. My last memory of Shona was earlier this year, when she invited me to I Tatti to chat about our latest findings on the material culture of Bolognese households. We passed a lovely afternoon over lunch and a glass of wine, and I felt once again her infectious enthusiasm and good cheer. Little did I know that this would be our last encounter. My thoughts and prayers go out to Shona's family.