She was called “the Costa whore,” even after she had already published ten books and was in the close circle of the popes. Even in Rome in the 17th century, the reputation of being a prostitute was not easily shaken off – although the profession had some advantages. A whore was a “responsible, enterprising entrepreneur who was not accountable to any man,” writes Christine Wunnicke. And if anyone was successful as an independent entrepreneur and artist, it was Margherita Costa.
Christine Wunnicke introduces the poet Margherita Costa – Munich
