Part One: Politics and Power Brokers

1. Lucrezia Tornabuoni (1427-1482): Medici Matriarch

2. Caterina Sforza (c. 1463–1509): Countess, Warrior, Alchemist

3. Isabella d´Este (1474-1539): Diplomat and Tastemaker

4. Lucrezia Borgia (1480-1519): Entrepreneur from Italy´s Most Controversial Family

5. Bona Sforza (1494-1557): Italian Queen of Poland

Part Two: Poets, Reformers, and Courtesans

6. Vittoria Colonna (1490?–1547): Divine Poet, Michelangelo´s Mentor

7 Lucrezia Gonzaga (1522–1576): Epistolary Icon and Religious Dissident

8 Olimpia Morata (1526–1555): Humanist and Heretic

9 Laura Terracina (1519–c.1577): Bestselling Author, Defender of Women

10. Veronica Franco (1546-1591): Celebrity Courtesan

Part Three: Musicians, Composers, and Performers

11. Gaspara Stampa (1523-1544): Renaissance Sappho

12. Tarquinia Molza (1542-1617): Virtuosa and Philosopher

13. Isabella Andreini (1562-1604): Diva of Stage and Page

14. Francesca Caccini (1587–post-1641): Opera´s Star at the Medici Court

15. Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677): Trailblazing Composer

Part Four: Artists and Scientists

16. Sofonisba Anguissola (c.1532-1625): Portraitist to Kings

17. Lavinia Fontana (1552–1614): Pioneering Professional Artist

18. Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1656?): Fearless Painter, Feminist Icon

19 Camilla Erculiani (d. post-1584):Pharmacist-Philosopher

20 Margherita Sarrocchi (c. 1560–1617): Reader of the Stars, Galileo´s Correspondent

Part Five: Renaissance Feminists

21 Laudomia Forteguerri (1515–1555?): Queer Poet, Civic Hero

22. Moderata Fonte (1555-1592): Visionary of Equality for Women

23 Lucrezia Marinella (1571?–1653): Champion of Women´s History

24 Sarra Copia Sulam (1592–1641): Poet and Polemicist in Venice´s Jewish Ghetto

25. Arcangela Tarabotti (1604-1652): Radical Nun, Feminist Force

Notes and Further Reading

Dates of Reign

Acknowledgments

Index