Laura Terracina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laura Terracina
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Laura Terracina, 1584
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| Born | 1519 Chiaia
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| Died | c. 1577 |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Spouse(s) | Polidoro Terracina |
Laura Terracina (born 1519 – died around 1577) was a talented Italian poet. She lived in Naples during the Renaissance, a time when art and learning were very important. Laura Terracina was one of the most published Italian poets of her time.
Her Early Life
Laura Terracina was born in Chiaia, a town near Naples. Her mother was Diana Anfora, and her father was Paolo Terracina. Laura had at least one sister and two brothers.
A famous poet named Vittoria Colonna might have encouraged Laura. Vittoria may have even sent Laura a short poem praising her writing skills.
In 1545, Laura joined a special group in Naples called the Academia of the Incogniti. This was a club for writers and thinkers. She became friends with many important literary figures and wrote letters to them. Even after the academy closed in 1547, people still knew her by her academy nickname, Febea.
Laura married her relative, Polidoro Terracina. She sometimes wrote poems especially for him. She also became good friends with many powerful people, like the patroness Giovanna d'Aragona (someone who supports artists) and the writer Angelo di Costanzo.
Her Amazing Work
Laura Terracina published nine books of poetry. These books were printed in different Italian cities like Florence, Venice, Naples, and Lucca between 1548 and 1567.
In Venice, she published a special poem called Discorso sopra il Principio di Tutti I Canti di Orlando Furioso. This poem was connected to Ludovico Ariosto's famous story, Orlando Furioso. Her poem was so popular that it was printed thirteen times! In it, she bravely defended women from people who criticized them. However, she also wished more women would become writers.
Laura often dedicated poems to the people she met at the Academia of the Incogniti. In many of her poems, she praised others. She often said she felt unworthy as a poet, even though she was very skilled. She also exchanged poems with another poet, Laura Battiferri. In these poems, both women praised each other but made light of their own talents.
During her lifetime, Laura Terracina was highly praised for her writing. In some of her works, she wrote about social problems and political troubles. She also strongly believed that women should seek fame for their work. She even dedicated her seventh book to the widows of Naples.
Today, the National Library of Florence has more than two hundred of her poems. These poems were never published in books and are kept in a special handwritten collection from 1577.
See also
- In Spanish: Laura Terracina para niños
