Musings of a Courtesan

[twixnmix]

Mata Hari: A Lady of Fashion

The Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan is now usually pictured in her revealing costumes, but in her day she was chic and well-dressed. Mata Hari (1876-1917) was frequently featured in all the most fashionable periodicals.

[cabaretcatlady-blog]

Courtesan

Courtesan: a beautifully loaded word full of mystery and enticement.

Originally a term for a female courtier at the residence of the monarch. Then a development of the Italian cortigiana meaning ‘the ruler’s mistress’ and French cortisane meaning 'court mistress’ and came to embody an educated, trained artisan of music and dance who was independent, free of moral restrictions and supported by a few wealthy patrons.

Cortigiana Onesta: Honest Courtesan. A well educated, upper class, intellectual woman who was often also an actress or a dancer. While they were also expected to have sex with their clients, they were also engaged for their wit, beauty, conversation, talent and intelligence.

Cortigiana di Lume: A lower class of courtesan who often began as a prostitute and was expected to provide companionship to their benefactors. They were perceived as being immoral and of low status due to their background.

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[veronicatheartisan]

Flip your goddamn hair.