Renaissance Italy's Most Courageous and Notorious Countess, Caterina Riario Sforza de' Medici
by Elizabeth Lev
Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Oct 2011
336 pages
Genre: Biography/Memoir
Publication Information
The astonishing life of a long-misunderstood Renaissance virago
Wife, mother, leader, warrior. Caterina Riario Sforza was one of the most prominent women in Renaissance Italy - and one of the most vilified. In this glittering biography, Elizabeth Lev reexamines her extraordinary life and accomplishments.
Raised in the court of Milan and wed at age ten to the pope's corrupt nephew, Caterina was ensnared in Italy's political intrigues early in life. After turbulent years in Rome's papal court, she moved to the Romagnol province of Forlì. Following her husband's assassination, she ruled Italy's crossroads with iron will, martial strength, political savvy - and an icon's fashion sense. In finally losing her lands to the Borgia family, she put up a resistance that inspired all of Europe and set the stage for her progeny - including Cosimo de' Medici - to follow her example to greatness.
A rich evocation the Renaissance, The Tigress of Forlì reveals Caterina Riario Sforza as a brilliant and fearless ruler, and a tragic but unbowed figure.
"Starred Review. An inspiring tale of the courage and fortitude of an enigmatic and indomitable woman." - Kirkus Reviews
"Lev offers a rich, nuanced portrait of a highly controversial beauty and military leader and her violent albeit glittering Italian Renaissance milieu." - Publishers Weekly
"Lev continues the recent biographical trend of unearthing extraordinary women from the historical dust pile." - Booklist
This information about The Tigress of Forli was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Elizabeth Lev is an art historian living in Rome, where she teaches Baroque and Renaissance Art.
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