Marriage in Venetian Style. The History of the State Through Women’s Fates.
Women of Venice had immense weight and influence on the course of historical events of their Republic and, on a family scale, on their husbands. At the top of the local Olympus are Veronica Franco, Caterina Cornaro, Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Pisciapia, Bianca Cappello; moreover, the chronicles of Venice are filled with a huge number of other extraordinary, brilliant ladies.
It is worth mentioning that in 1681, gambling cards (54 cards in a deck) were printed in the city, illustrating episodes from the lives of famous Venetian women. Note that the cards did not feature erotic themes, which would be easy to assume. On the contrary, with foresight and observation, with respect and somewhat with servility, they were dedicated to other qualities of the ladies: the ace of spades was marked with the image of Caterina Cornaro, the five of spades was assigned to Elisabetta Querini Stampalia, and so on. How did some of the aforementioned women become so influential, gaining such a noticeable position in society – personal freedom and economic independence? What is the secret of their enterprise and success?
Let’s start with the traditional (and defining, fundamental) moment in a woman’s fate, the period (a period – not a moment, otherwise they wouldn’t have become influential) of marriage, usually at the age of 14-16.
The choice of the bride, the wedding ritual consisting of 6 stages, the list of dowry and other details and components of this important process are interesting.
We will not reveal all the cards here, but believe me, the experience and traditions of Venetian society in guaranteeing women their rights deserve attention and a separate route.
The history of the state through women’s fates – you certainly haven’t heard anything like this before.
