Fillide Melandroni was a famous courtesan from the final decade of the XVI century. She was so beautiful that even the great master Caravaggio took a liking to her, and as a result we can observe her face in four of his paintings. Apparently his affection for this girl resulted in bloody outcome. Caravaggio allegedly killed and castrated her pimp, Ranuccio Tomassoni after the game of tennis, and fled Italy afterwards. 

Here we can see her face depicted in Caravaggio’s works:

1. Judith Beheading Holofernes (whole piece)

2. Saint Catherine of Alexandria (whole piece)

3. Portrait of a Courtesan (whole piece)

4. Martha and Mary Magdalene (whole piece)

image

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    #funfact #baroqueart
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