Who was Veronica Franco and was she the first to give substance to the word courtesan, a definition much deeper than most would understand in this so-called forward and modern time?

she is described as "...an Italian poet and courtesan in 16th-century Venice. She is known for her notable clientele, feminist advocacy, literary contributions, and philanthropy. Her humanist education and cultural contributions influenced the roles of Courtesans in the late Venetian Renaissance."

But what would a courtesan be?

According to Knight, "The term Courtesan originated around 1540, and meant literally a woman of the court. A courtesan is a glorified prostitute, a paramour to the royal, noble and wealthy men of society" (1). The courtesan attains intelligence, and woos her client through her education, talents, and charm."

Worthy of mention La Paiva..."an archetypical figure of the European 19th Century -- when tectonic shifts in social organisation saw the old order give way, and a new class of capitalists and empire-builders set about remaking the world. Her waist was large, and her face was described by writers of the time as mannish. Yet La Paiva had a virtue greater than beauty, and more enduring too: steely, total ambition."

And thus one wonders if there are true courtesans left, if there is a place for them, the warped desires and needs of a modern world that places emphasis on superficial gratifications be the need. The more pornish the better.


Maybe being a sex-worker is one thing and a courtesans be something else... ?... considering La Paiva went from being a penniless sex-worker and rose to massive fortune and major political influence.

It brings to mind a legendary SP who was on the Purple site when i was 'little' in 2015...the initials of her name used to make me laugh with delight! Very appropriate for this site, though not flattering...something like 'Venereal Disease'...i think she was a true courtesan....and with great admiration i followed her every post and those of her suitors.

I would like to imagine a courtesan would know to woe her suitor most majestically when it comes to bedroom antics too. An 'art' missed by most....girl and boy.

I wonder...

RB.