On March 30, 2011, the world's oldest printed star charts, created by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer, were auctioned by Sotheby's auction house in London. The woodcuts were first printed in 1515. (photo)

At a recent conference at Edinburgh University, modern experts examined period sources "to increase understanding of the kinds of [beauty] materials that may have been available in renaissance homes and how ideas of beauty have developed over time."

THLord Stefan li Rous has published updates to Stefan's Florilegium for April 2011.