List of Italian Renaissance courtesans

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The following is a list of nobtable Italian Renaissance courtesans.

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Renaissance courtesans

In Italian Renaissance society existed the category of a cortigiana onesta (Honest Courtesan), who were intellectual sex workers who derived their position in society from refinement and cultural prowess. They served in contrast to other sex workers such as cortigiana di lume or meretrice ('harlots'), who were lower-class prostitutes. [1]

In the middle of 16th century was printed "Catalogo de tutte le principal et più honorate cortigiane di Venetia" (Catalog of all the Principal and most Honored Courtesans of Venice).

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15th-century

16th-century

Fictional

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