Abstract

The essay traces the life of Laura Battiferra (1523-1589), noblewoman, poet, author and patron, from Urbino. She was married to Bartolomeo Ammannati, who worked for the Jesuit fathers. Kirkham inserts the relationship between the couple and the Jesuits into context of the social status of Laura's family, her education, and her activity as poet and author. Laura in fact wrote nearly 400 poems, inspired in large part by her devotion, and corresponded with numerous figures of the artistic and literary world. Laura's inheritance from her father Giovann'Antonio in 1561 allowed her to finance the Jesuite college and the extension of the Church of San Giovannino in Florence, the most significant example of her artistic patronage. nearly 400 poems, inspired in large part by her devotion, and corresponded with numerous figures of the artistic and literary world. Laura's inheritance from her father Giovann'Antonio in 1561 allowed her to finance the Jesuite college and the extension of the Church of San Giovannino in Florence, the most significant example of her artistic "patronage".