A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Matraini, Clara Cantarini
MATRAINI, CLARA CANTARINI,
Was of a noble family of Lucca, and one of the best Italian poets of the sixteenth century. Her style 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 were printed at Venice, in 1560. Many others were subjoined to her letters, which were printed at Lucca in 1595. In these she appears well instructed in sacred history, and in theology in general; one, to her son, contains many useful maxims of manners and conduct. Her "Christian Meditations," mixed with very beautiful scraps of poetry, and concluded by a female's ode to the Almighty, were printed there. She also wrote 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.