Let us discover ‘another aspect’ of Venice following the footsteps of Venetian ladies who lived here in the past centuries.
Allow us to start from close to the Rialto Bridge, at Palazzo Cornaro Piscopia.
The first university female graduate of the world ELENA LUCREZIA CORNARO PISCOPIA was born here in 1646.
Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia source wikipedia
In a painting by Antonio Molinari she is painted with curly dark hair, parted in the middle, looking serious, but also very self aware.
Of vast knowledge, Elena was fluent in several languages, Latin and Greek, French and Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic. She was interested in many topics in astronomy and physics, and played several musical instruments such as the violin, harp, harpsichord and clavichord. She was hoping to obtain her degree in theology at the University of Padua, but the Bishop of Padua, Cardinal Barbarigo fiercely opposed the idea.
She managed to become the first lady to graduate in philosophy (not in theology) in 1678, after having discussed her thesis – for this event in the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua, talking for one hour in Latin about the works of Aristotle.
tablet commemorating Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia
Bravissima! Very well done !
Nowadays her home is the seat of the City Council.
Opposite her home rises Palazzo Coccina Tiepolo Pappadopoli, the one with the 2 white obelisques, nowadays a famous 5 star hotel, where beautiful, smart GIUSTINIANA WYNNE grew up.
Born in Venice in 1737, Giustiana’s father was an elderly English Sir, Richard Wynne and her mother a Greek born Venetian.
Giustiniana Wynne source wikipedia
One evening the 16-year-old Giustiana met Andrea Memmo, the scion of one of the most important families.
The love story of the 18th Century … They fell deeply in love and started exchanging letters on letters, playing hide and seek at parties, in theatres…
‘… [I] waited for you filled with desire. Finally you arrived and I went up to my box so that I could contemplate you – not only for the sheer pleasure I take in admiring you but also in the hope of receiving a sign of acknowledgement as a form of consolation’.
They developed their secret coded language, ‘touch your hair if you are going to the Ridotto’ or ‘nod or shake your head to tell me whether you plan to go to the Piazza’, Andrea wrote in his letters full of desire.
Their affair was discovered and hindered by their parents on both sides. Nevertheless their love affair continued for years; their letters are passionate, with all the ups and downs of feelings and moods of a young couple in love.
Andrea Di Robillant, a descendant of Andrea published a captivating book based on the letters surviving; read more in my post here.
in the middle Palazzo Coccina Tiepolo Pappadopoli
Walking over the Rialto bridge we will reach the Carampane area, the red light district of Venice in the Middle Ages and we will discuss the differences between prostitutes and courtesans, who in the 16th century rose to the status of ‘honest ladies’.
Venice was one of the most populous cities and offered more opportunities for ladies than any other city in Europe. Courtesans were trying to advocate for some rights of women reaching a certain personal autonomy. They advanced into society giving refinement in return for patronage.
VERONICA FRANCO, born in 1546, was not only the Courtesan of Venice, but first of all a talented writer.
Veronica Franco source wikipedia
When Henry III, King of Poland, travelled through Venice to reach Paris back in 1574 he stopped 10 days in Venice and paid tribute to her. A well known, but a very small episode of her adventurous life: she fought with Maffio Venier, the nephew of her patron, in an intriguing interaction between courtesan and noblemen, fully aware of her skill, strength and intellectual integrity.
Not too far away is Palazzo Corner della Regina (yes another portion of the family of Elena), today owned by the Prada Foundation.
Another story of a powerful and influential Venetian lady, CATERINA CORNARO, the last Queen of Cyprus.
detail, Caterina Cornaro in front of the Doge
And our last stop brings us back to the Middle Ages to FANTINA POLO, and to the daughters of Marco Polo.
Are you curious to travel back in time ?… then please contact me
Fiona
