A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Matraini, (Clara Cantarini)

MATRAINI (CLARA CANTARINI), of a noble Family at Lucca, one of the best Poets of the 16th Century. She was living in 1562.

Her stile is said to be pure, correct, and full of force and elegance; her ideas clear, noble, and ingenious; and she particularly excels as a lyrist. Many of her pieces are in Rime di dirersi Signori Napolitani è d'altri, which was printed at Venice, 1566. The same are also printed separately. Many others are subjoined to her Letters, which were printed at Lucca, 1595. In these she appears well instructed in sacred history, and in theology in general; one of them, to her son, contains many useful maxims for manners and conduct. Her Christian Meditations, mixed with very beautiful scraps of poetry, and concluded by a fine ode to the Almighty, were also printed there. She wrote also a Life of the Virgin Mary, in which are many pieces of poetry; others are found in different collections. She was well skilled in the Platonic philosophy, was generally esteemed by the literati of that age, and corresponded with many of them.

F. C.