Lucrezia Borgia (1480–1519)
Author of The Prettiest Love Letters in the World: Letters Between Lucrezia Borgia & Pietro Bembo, 1503-1519
About the Author
Image credit: Bartolomeo Veneto.
Works by Lucrezia Borgia
The Prettiest Love Letters in the World: Letters Between Lucrezia Borgia & Pietro Bembo, 1503-1519 (1987) 48 copies, 1 review
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1480-04-18
- Date of death
- 1519-06-24
- Gender
- female
- Occupations
- aristocrat
letter writer - Relationships
- Bembo, Pietro (friend, correspondent)
- Short biography
- Lucrezia was the daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, the powerful Spanish-born church official who later became Pope Alexander VI. Cesare Borgia was her brother. Although the Borgias came to epitomize ruthless politics, Vatican corruption, and sexual debauchery, many historians believe that Lucrezia was a pawn of her relatives in her early life. After she married Alfonso d'Este, future Duke of Ferrara, she became a respected figure in the duchy of Ferrara. She died in childbirth in 1519. She continues to fascinate and has inspired many works of literature, opera, film, and television. Several paintings are said to depict her, but none are fully accepted by scholars.
- Nationality
- Italy
- Birthplace
- Rome, Italy
- Places of residence
- Rome, Italy
Ferrara, Italy
Nepi, Italy - Place of death
- Ferrara, Italy
- Burial location
- Monastero del Corpus Domini, Ferrara
- Associated Place (for map)
- Italy
Members
Reviews
These letters are adulatory, emotionally effusive, poetic. One wonders what Bembo's motives were. Was he fishing for court favors from the duchess? Or were these two really soul mates, as they claimed to be? On page 41, the editor says that "she made use of Bembo to expedite her interests." Were they using each other? In Letter XXX he asks her to give him a job. Is there genuine passion in these letters or only obligatory hyperbole? Is this true love or only self-serving flattery?
Lord Byron show more apparently believed in the sincerity of their motives. It was he who praised the letters as "the prettiest" in the world. But humorist Will Cuppy had doubts, noting that her poet friends tended to show up at mealtimes.
In any case, this book is an up-close and personal glimpse into Renaissance Italy. The preface of thirty-eight pages is an excellent introduction to the letters. Artfully illustrated. show less
Lord Byron show more apparently believed in the sincerity of their motives. It was he who praised the letters as "the prettiest" in the world. But humorist Will Cuppy had doubts, noting that her poet friends tended to show up at mealtimes.
In any case, this book is an up-close and personal glimpse into Renaissance Italy. The preface of thirty-eight pages is an excellent introduction to the letters. Artfully illustrated. show less
Lists
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 3
- Also by
- 3
- Members
- 54
- Popularity
- #299,229
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 1
- ISBNs
- 6
- Languages
- 1
- Favorited
- 1