| Paolina Loredan | |
|---|---|
| Dogaressa of Venice | |
| Predecessor | Chiara Delfino |
| Successor | Andrea Priuli |
| Spouse | Doge Carlo Contarini |
| Issue | Andrea, Elisabetta, Lorenzo, Lorenzo, Giovan Battista, Cecilia, Lorenza, Comelia |
| Dynasty |  House of Loredan |
| Father | Lorenzo Loredan |
Paolina Loredan was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to Doge Carlo Contarini (r. 1655-1656) and a member of the noble Loredan family.
Paolina Loredan was born to Lorenzo Loredan and married Carlo Contarini in 1600. She was known for her decision never to appear in any public ceremonial. Described as an "immensely stout woman and unusually plain-looking", [1] she was reportedly afraid that "the salutations of the populace would not partake of their usually complimentary character", and that she would have been mocked because of her appearance.
Both she and her spouse were known as the benefactors of the clergy, for which their busts were placed on the facade of the church of San Vidal, sculptured by Giuseppe Guoccola.
Dogaressa was the official title of the wife of the Doge of Venice. The title was unique for Venice: while the heads of the Republic of Genoa were also called Doge, the wives of the Doges of Genoa were not called Dogaressa, nor did they have such a public position.
Giovanna Margherita Dalmet, also called Delmaz and Dalmaz, was a Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Paolo Renier.
Loredana Marcello was a Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Alvise I Mocenigo. She was an author of letters and poetry and studied botany, and was regarded as a model of an educated and cultivated renaissance woman in contemporary Venice.
Zilia Dandolo was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Lorenzo Priuli.
Felicia Cornaro was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Vitale I Michiel. She was politically active and exerted an acknowledged influence over the affairs of state. She was a strong supporter of the First Crusade.
Valdrada of Sicily was a Sicilian princess and the Dogaressa of Venice by her marriage to Doge Jacopo Tiepolo.
Constance of Sicily was a Sicilian Princess and the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Pietro Ziani.
Aluycia Gradenigo was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Marino Faliero.
Valdrada (Gualdrada) of Tuscany was a Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Pietro IV Candiano.
Polissena Contarini Da Mula was a Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo.
Felicia Malipiero was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Pietro I Orseolo and mother of doge Pietro II Orseolo.
Matelda was the Dogaressa of Venice by-marriage to the Doge Ordelafo Faliero.
Marina Galina was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Michele Steno.
Alicia Giustiniani was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Francesco Donato.
Loicia (Aloicia) da Prata or Alucia da Frata was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Reniero Zeno.
Aliodea Morosini, called "Dea Moro", was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Nicolò Tron.
Cecilia Contarini was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Sebastiano Venier.
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The House of Loredan-Santo Stefano was a cadet branch of the House of Loredan that existed from the 14th century until 1767. The branch was mainly settled in the Palazzo Loredan in Campo Santo Stefano, which they acquired in 1536 from the Mocenigo family. The progenitor of the branch is considered to be Gerolamo Loredan "dal Barbaro" di S. Vitale (d.~1474), father of Doge Leonardo Loredan and Dogaressa Caterina Loredan. Besides Leonardo, the branch also gave Doge Francesco Loredan.
Caterina Loredan of the noble Loredan family was the Dogaressa of Venice from 1521 to 1523 by marriage to Doge Antonio Grimani.