How Did Women Influence Renaissance Rome

793 Words4 Pages

Renaissance Rome was dominated mainly by men, but there was the scarce occurrence of women in present in social, political and religious aspects of this time period. Women who were very wealthy were the ones who are able to exercise such power because they came from well-respected families’ and had the wealth to back themselves up. Six influential women, Fulvia Conti Sforza, Caterina de’ Nobili Sforza, Portia Massimi, Maddalena Orsini, Eleanora de’ Medici, and Felice della Rovere, all were able to impact the manly dominated Renaissance in each of their own ways. Religion was a very important aspect of Renaissance Rome and while the focus seems to always be on who was the pope at the time and what he was doing, there were women working to fund religious organizations and projects and some even completely devoted their lives to it. Fulvia Conti Sforza was the last of her father’s bloodline and recently a widow so she had obtained great wealth. She used the fortune for good works and decided to build a church and convent for poor homeless girls. Caterina de’ Nobili Sforza, Fulvia’s sister-in-law, also took interest in the religious aspect of power. After her …show more content…

One woman, Eleanora de’ Medici came from a very powerful family so when she married Cosimo I de’ Medici she brought high mobility, which elevated the Medici family to top ranks. Eleanora was very concerned about becoming even more wealthy. She worked alongside Cosimo I to expand their power, demonstrate their rule, and establish themselves firmly among the ranks of the high nobility of Europe. Eleanora decides that where they are living is not impressive enough so she moves the family to a different palace and even enlarges it. She demonstrates power by working with Cosimo I to strengthen themselves politically and ensures she is living in a grand palace that not only meets their political rank but also shows appreciation of