Pietro Aretino

Date of Birth: April 20, 1492

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 21, 1556

Biography

Pietro Aretino was an influential Italian poet, writer, and satirist of the Renaissance period, born on April 20, 1492, in Arezzo, Italy. Known as the “scourge of princes,” Aretino’s works were famous for their candid and often scandalous content. He began his literary career in Perugia and later moved to Rome, where he gained fame for his sharp wit and incisive social commentary. Aretino’s relationships with notable figures such as Titian, with whom he collaborated, and his extortionist tactics against powerful individuals earned him both admiration and enmity. He wrote extensively in various genres, including poetry, prose, and plays. Aretino spent his later years in Venice, where he continued to write until his death on October 21, 1556.

5 Interesting Facts about Pietro Aretino

1. Pietro Aretino was a close friend and collaborator of the famous painter Titian.

2. He is often considered one of the first professional writers in history, making a living solely from his literary work.

3. Aretino’s satirical works were so powerful that he was able to blackmail some of the most influential people of his time, including kings and popes.

4. He was openly critical of the Catholic Church, which was unusual and dangerous during his era.

5. Aretino wrote the first piece of modern pornography, “Sonetti Lussuriosi,” illustrated by Giulio Romano.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Pietro Aretino

1. “I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself.”

2. “Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius.”

3. “From the backstabbing coquette to the prude who simpers at you while she rejects you, you are the quarry of an entire nation of predators.”

4. “To be worthy of the world, you must be wise. To be wise, you must be free.”

5. “The tragic sense of life is that there is no sense to life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Pietro Aretino was not known for accumulating vast wealth, but his influence and the income from his extortion and writings were substantial for his time. Exact figures on his net worth are not available, but he lived comfortably in Venice during his later years.

Children

There is no definitive historical record of Pietro Aretino having any children. His personal life, much like many aspects of his career, remains shrouded in both fact and legend.