Epistolary Masks: Self-Presentation and Dissimulation in the Letters of Isabella d'Este.

Isabella d'Este (marchesa of Mantua, 1490–1539) desired personal authority in the political, cultural, and social spheres, while also seeking dynastic advancement. Her extensive correspondence, now in the Mantuan State Archive, was a key instrument of aggrandisement. It reveals Isabella's image mana...

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Publicado en:Italian Studies Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 20 - 38
Autor principal: Cockram, Sarah
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Mar2009
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Epistolary Masks: Self-Presentation and Dissimulation in the Letters of Isabella d'Este.
      aug:
        au: Cockram, Sarah
      su:
        Mantua (Italy)
        Italy
        Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua, 1466-1519
        Isabella d'Este, consort of Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua, 1474-1539
        Self-presentation
        Letter writing
        Italian letters
        Ciphers
        Letters in art
        Spies
      sug:
        subj:
          Self-presentation
          Letter writing
          Mantua (Italy)
          Italy
          Italian letters
          Ciphers
          Letters in art
          Spies
          Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua, 1466-1519
          Isabella d'Este, consort of Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua, 1474-1539
      keyword:
        DISSIMULATION
        FRANCESCO GONZAGA
        ISABELLA D'ESTE
        LETTERS
        MANTUA
        DISSIMULATION
        FRANCESCO GONZAGA
        ISABELLA D'ESTE
        LETTERS
        MANTUA
      ab: Isabella d'Este (marchesa of Mantua, 1490–1539) desired personal authority in the political, cultural, and social spheres, while also seeking dynastic advancement. Her extensive correspondence, now in the Mantuan State Archive, was a key instrument of aggrandisement. It reveals Isabella's image management, her manipulation of the epistolary form, and the power-sharing dynamic with her husband Francesco Gonzaga. This article examines letters in which Isabella used masked simulatory or dissimulatory communication in pursuit of her aims. These epistolary masking techniques range from ciphers, with undisguised concealment, to entire fake letters. The use of letters as works of art and artifice is also seen in Isabella's expert forging of a letter from her absent husband in order to trick a Borgia spy, an example demonstrating teamwork of husband and wife. Such masking strategies provide an excellent illustration of self-presentation and power sharing in action.
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      src: R
    language: English
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