Courtesans of the Italian Renaissance

by Georgina Masson

Genres: History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 1975

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although an obvious product of the rise in feminist ideas of the 1970's, this book provides a fascinating view into the world of renaissance Rome (and Venice) through the perspective of arguably very powerful women who made their trade selling companionship. I am not attempting to be sly with that, either. If you're looking for salacious trysts and naughty bits, this book will set you straight in the true position a courtesan held in society at the time and that they were selling more than just flesh.
I commend the author especially for the tireless research she had to do to truly reveal the identities and lives of these women, as not a lot of historical records can be found about them. The extensive use of interpreting the poetry and sonnets to these women, and the cross referencing of tax records and property records was a highly enlightened way to get as much information as possible about characters who, for as much as they were in the public eye, were still not regarded as important as their male suitors in many respects.
If you're looking for some book of scandalous deeds and intimate meetings, this may not be the book for you. But if you'd like a better insight into women with power during an age dominated by men of the church, you can't do better than this interesting glimpse into the lives of Rome's most prominent ladies.

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disjointed and dry, alas.