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The plagues of 1575-1577 caused Veronica to have to flee Venice.
Upon her return, she saw that her house was looted, and all her material possessions gone.
In 1580 she was accused of practicing "love magic" by her sons tutor, Ridolfo Vannitelli.
Her connections, most notably to Domenico Veniero, saw her aquitted of the charges.
However, her reputation would never be the same
After Domenico's death in 1582, in which he, as her benefactor, left her nothing, her life went on a downward spiral.
She moved to a section of Venice where the poor prostitutes were said to have lived.
She is said to have died in relative poverty.
born in 1546 in Venice to a Cortigiana Onesta
Only daughter amongst three sons, and got her education from their tutors
married at a very young age, had a child, and divorced
would become known as one of the most prominent courtesans in Venetian society.
her clients were of the highest class and the most well-known
Veronica's literary career started at the school of Domenico Veniero.
By the age of 20 she was listed in the book of Venice's most prominent courtesans
She was praised for her writings not only by Domenico and his brother Marco, but also by other male writers at the salon
Marco helped write her first published work, a book of poems Terze Rime
went on to birth five children, all from different men
With the nature of being a courtesan, it was thought that she had relationships with both brothers: Domenico and Marco
The courtesans weren't considered lower class citizens as they would be today.
Courtesans were allowed because they gave women who did not have the chance to get married (because of dowry reasons) a way to support themselves.
Female prostitution was often more overlooked because of more "serious" sex crimes that took place.
Caused Venice to be seen as unusually liberal at the time.
Her second work, Lettere familiari a diversi is a collection of letters she wrote to various people, most of whom she identifies
She is considered one of, if not the most successful female writer in 16th century Venice.
Cortigiane oneste: "the honest courtesans"
these were the upper-class courtesans. They were educated women, usually considered equal in intelligence to the noble women.
It was common for them to have other jobs aside from being a courtesan.
Was what is considered as a high class prostitute, although their obligations also went outside just sex, and went into current events, literature, and appearance.
Cortigiane di lume:
These courtesans were considered less sophisticated than the former category, but more sophisticated than the common prostitute.
In 16th century Venice, it was not uncommon to be a courtesan.
There were over 20,000 in the city.
The female icon is very important to the city of Venice
Gabriella Conte
“When we too are armed and trained, we can convince men that we have hands, feet, and a heart like yours; and although we may be delicate and soft, some men who are delicate are also strong; and others, coarse and harsh, are cowards. Women have not yet realized this, for if they should decide to do so, they would be able to
fight you until death; and to prove that I
speak the truth, amongst so many women,
I will be the first to act, setting an example
for them to follow"