Pietro Aretino: Renaissance Erotic Poetry and the Birth of Modern Sexual Expression
Pietro Aretino, who was born in Arezzo on 20 April 1492 and passed away in Venice on 21 October 1556, transformed Italian literature during the Renaissance with his bold erotic poetry, moving away from the ethereal themes of medieval literature to more explicit sexual content. His 1526 work, Sonetti lussuriosi, cautions readers about unrealistic romantic ideals. Aretino, the child of shoemaker Luca del Buta and courtesan Margherita dei Bonci, studied at the University of Perugia and became a protégé of banker Agostino Chigi. His satirical writings, including pasquinate, targeted Pope Adrian IV, while Dubbi amorosi explored sexual topics. His Sonetti complement Modi, a Renaissance kamasutra by Marcantonio Romano. This article is authored by Andrea Di Carlo for MIfacciodiCultura.
Key facts
- Pietro Aretino was born in Arezzo on 20 April 1492 and died in Venice on 21 October 1556.
- His Sonetti lussuriosi (1526) marked a paradigm shift from medieval ethereal literature to explicit sexual description.
- Aretino was the son of a shoemaker, Luca del Buta, and a courtesan, Margherita dei Bonci (Tinta).
- He was a protégé of banker Agostino Chigi and had contact with the Roman Curia.
- His pasquinate were satirical verses posted on the statue of Pasquino in Piazza Navona.
- He wrote Dubbi amorosi, addressing sexual issues of courtesans, prostitutes, and husbands.
- The Modi or Le Sedici Posizioni, a Renaissance kamasutra by Marcantonio Romano, accompanied the Sonetti.
- Michel Foucault (1976) linked the taboo on sex to the Christian pastoral and Church control.
Entities
Artists
- Pietro Aretino
- Dante
- Petrarca
- Pietro Bembo
- Sannazzaro
- Bernia
- John Donne
- Michel Foucault
- Marcantonio Romano
- Luca del Buta
- Margherita dei Bonci
- Agostino Chigi
- Adriano IV
- Giovanni dalle Bande Nere
- Andrea Di Carlo
Institutions
- Curia romana
- MIfacciodiCultura
- Artspecialday
Locations
- Arezzo
- Italy
- Venezia
- Perugia
- Piazza Navona
- Roma
- Arcadia