This fascinating seminar weaves a tale of historical Venice from the perspective of the women who played an integral part in its history and culture. In addition to examining the figure of the dogaressa, the wife of the doge, we will also spend ample time exploring the lives of ordinary women—the nuns, wives, daughters and more emancipated courtesans and widows, who all played an important role in society.
A stop at the church of San Salvador, for example, will allow us to view the tomb of Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus. At just 14 years old Caterina became a pawn of Venetian politics, when she was married off to the king of Cyprus. The Venetian Republic then saw to it that her husband was poisoned so that Cyprus would come under Venetian rule. More generally we can also talk about the use and purpose of arranged marriages and the social and economic problems caused by the funding of dowries.
We will then take the opportunity to stop by the Oratorio dei Crociferi, with its beautiful cycle of paintings by Palma Il Giovane. With its limited opening hours, this little visited site was once a hospice for women and, through its narrative paintings, allows us to discuss the role of the dogaressa in Venetian society. After our time at the Oratorio, our discussion then takes us to Santa Maria dei Miracoli, one of the most important and beloved early Renaissance monuments in Venice. This was a Franciscan convent church, as well as a votive chapel erected in honor of a miraculous icon. The church interior features an overhead nuns' choir and nuns still occupy the adjacent complex, albeit that they are no longer Francsicans. In discussing the lives of nuns we explore the extent to which transgression was a regular feature of life in the cloisters - at least until the counter reform movement of the 16thC. The nuns at the Miracoli were castigated by church officials for singing profane songs and dressing up as men when they put on plays. But there are also plenty records of Venetian nuns getting up to much more scandalous doings, sexual affairs etc.
Our time together ends of the a bar locally known at the "Milan Bar." Rumor has it that this location was once a brothel, and whether true or not, the bell'eqpoque interior provides a lovely setting to sip a drink and finish our discussion on the topic of the prostitutes and courtesans of Venice and the way in which the state allowed, and even promoted, this activity. By the end of our lecture, you will be able to see a more clear idea of the religious, political, and private lives of women in historic Venice and their important contributions to the Republic.
This event is part of our Out of Context lecture series, and is only currently being held on September 12 at 2:30 pm. We can sometimes schedule it privately on a per-request basis, if given enough advance warning.
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