Veronica Franco, courtesan and poetess: biography

Veronica Franco is the most famous woman of the Renaissance. This famous courtesan was famous for the fact that men dreamed not so much about her body as about the opportunity to communicate with her, to gain her attention in order to enjoy her company. The beauty and mind of this woman was conquered in due time by the French King Henry III. What attracted Veronica men to themselves? The secrets of her art of seduction you will learn by reading this article.

Courtesans: historical information

Who, in ancient times, was called courtesans? And what was the attitude towards them in the Renaissance? After all, the heroine of our story, Veronica Franco, comes from Venice, the city where the European Institute of Courtesans was formed and flourished.

According to the canons of this institute, among the courtesans was the distribution of ranks. Courtesans ranked higher toward courtiers and pious, those that were lower-ranked were considered to be akin to women of easy virtue. Each category of women had its own rules and regulations, each adhered to its laws and norms of conduct.

The most famous courtesans could quite give a head start to the richest and most noble ladies; They had luxurious outfits, jewels, their own living quarters.

In the common people courtesans called women who perfectly mastered not only the art of love, but also the art of flirting and seduction. They were intelligent, endowed with many talents, famous as interesting interlocutors.

It was such talents that Veronica was endowed with. Destiny herself ordered that she became a courtesan, because her mother was also one of these women.

Childhood and adolescence of Veronica

Veronica Franco, whose biography is full of interesting facts, was born in the family of Francesco Franco and Paola Fracassa. The girl's parents were members of a professional caste whose members were religious fraternities or government bureaucracies. In addition to the girl, three sons were brought up in the family, free customs were instilled in all children.

The girl began to study science when her brothers came to the teacher's house. The girl was very curious, so she attended classes organized by parents for them with interest.

According to archival data, Veronica Franco at the age of 18, though for a short period, but still married. Her first husband, Paolo Panizza, was a doctor by profession, but he could not keep his young wife. Being pregnant, taking all her dowry, the girl left him.

Veronica was the mother of six children, three of whom died while in infancy.

The fathers of her children who are known were: Andrea Tron - an aristocrat from Venice, Giacomo di Baballi - a rich merchant.

Taking the example from her mother, Veronica became a courtesan.

High rank

1565 was marked by the fact that Veronica was listed as the most basic and respected courtesans throughout Venice.

The girl was not even 20 years old, and she began to belong to the elite of women engaged in this craft. This meant that she was an "honest courtesan", a woman revered in her city.

She became a friend of the most noble and wealthy men of her time, led an open private life, lived for her own pleasure.

Scourges of the Inquisition

The young courtesan immediately began to enjoy great success with the male. Some men were so eager for her society that such behavior could not go unnoticed. Naturally, many noble ladies reacted painfully to the fact that their husbands preferred to communicate with Veronica, and not with them.

According to the documents, in 1580 Veronica Franco was accused by the Inquisition of using witchcraft to seduce men. The woman was accused of bewitching the male part of the population, and this prevents them from fulfilling their state and matrimonial duties.

At the trial, the young woman defended herself. Here Veronica has proved that she is an honest courtesan. She uttered an ardent speech and was able to convince the lay judges in their own right. All charges against her were dropped.

Veronica Franco and Marco Venier

In the seventeenth sixteenth century, a woman met a man who played a huge role in her life. It was well-known in Venice and far beyond its literary adviser Marco Venier. This man supported literary talent not only among men, but also among women. He also owned one of the most famous Venetian literary salons, where poets, music and fine arts lovers often gathered.

Salon entertainments consisted of reading poems, singing, and also secular conversations, during which useful acquaintances were started, romantic intrigues were tied up, various gossips were spread.

Veronica Franco, whose poems were very popular, also often performed here before the guests. In addition, the woman owned the game on the back and the lute, was able to conduct a small talk and be in the spotlight.

Venier favored the talent of Veronica. He provided it financially, and once gave a huge collection of different books. This gift was envied by many intellectuals in Venice.

Thanks to Venier's support, Veronica was a member of the most prestigious literary societies of the city, she was an active participant in various discussions with well-known thinkers, artists, politicians and poets.

Men of Veronica

The famous courtesan had a friendship with Bernardo Tasso, Celio Magno, Sperone Speroni. Her most famous lover was Henry III. Veronica loved the king, whom she met in 1574, when he traveled to France from Poland. The king learned about Veronica from one of the fathers of her children - Andrea Thron, who at the time of travel was in his escort.

The meeting will initiate a warm relationship between the king and the courtesan. Veronica will give Henry his portrait, and also devote him 2 sonnets.

Poetic heritage

Compositions of Veronica Franco are included in the anthology of poetry. She has published 2 poetic collections. The poet of the Renaissance wrote erotic and frank poems, she sang the art of love, addressed verses to men who liked her.

Up to now, her letters have been preserved, more than 50 pieces, which were published in Venice. Among the letters there are many stories and reflections on life, comments on events, advice and opinions, as well as a message to Henry III. More than 20 letters are addressed to Tintoretto - the artist who painted her portraits.

last years of life

Information about the life of the famous courtesan after the 1580 is very meager.

Researchers of her life and creativity say that she died in poverty. However, there are documents that say that although her situation was not as secured as in her younger years, she was still not poor.

In the last years of her life she stopped writing. She died at the age of 45, having fainted for about 20 days with fever, which had an unknown origin.