Passion and Piety of Vittoria Colonna

Even when someone has been dead for more than 400 years, reading their private letters sometimes feels voyeuristic, doesn't it?

Admittedly, Renaissance letters were often written with the understanding that they will be read by people other than the intended recipient (hence the copious amounts of flowery praise contained in some letters addressed to Renaissance nobles). But not all letters were like that.

The ardent relationships Vittoria Colonna had with two illustrious Renaissance men (both of whom were most likely gay) is laid bare for us in their incredible correspondence. Reading it is a guilty pleasure - it feels wrong but you just can't stop. These relationships, although completely platonic, were full of deep, at times overwhelming passion, tenderness and yes - actual love. And we are talking about some of the most pious and fervently religious individuals in history here - Michelangelo Buonarroti, Vittoria Colonna and Reginald Pole. Check out this excerpt from a poem Michelangelo wrote to Vittoria, for instance:

... Thus I can give to us both long life, in whatever form, either paint or stone, by picturing us, your face and mine; so that a thousand years after our deaths it will be known how beautiful you were, and how in loving you I, poor wretch, was no fool. Never actually having painted Vittoria, Michelangelo created the most tender portrait words could ever express.

The fascinating, heartbreaking and poignant relationship between the intriguing figure of cardinal Reginald Pole and the aging Vittoria is truly the stuff of the best romance novels.

In short, I must yet again refer you all to Ramie Targoff's book "Renaissance Woman" - it is one of the most engaging art history books I have read in a long time.

Drawing made by Michelangelo for Vittoria, Christ on the Cross; flanked by two lamenting angels, black chalk, circa 1538-41, British Museum