Display of Art in the Roman Palace 1550–1750

comptes rendus 171 harsh battle ensued that sought to deprive Giovanni Francesco (the legitimate son of Giovanni and Livia) of his legal rights and to "forget" the existence of Livia, who was deemed to be "arrogant" because she sought to defend her property, her rights, and her inheritance by mounting a long resistance, both in life and in the courts.After being carried away from Venice, by deceit, she was kept prisoner in Florence, in the Fortezza di Belvedere, for almost sixteen years, forgotten by nearly everyone.She was rescued by chance and, through the authorization of Grand Duke Ferdinando II, allowed to spend her final days in the villa Le Macine, in Montughi, where she died in 1655.The last outrage against her was perpetrated by her only surviving child, Giovanni Francesco Maria, who had been raised at court after his father's death; the son considered his mother to be a whore and even attempted to harm her physically.Giovanni and Livia's story thoroughly engages the reader.Dooley's narrative presents a vivid image of life in Florence and at the Medici court, while providing a compelling analysis of Giovanni's and Livia's feelings and thoughts.The reader almost can "see" and "feel" what Livia and Giovanni were going through.Though primarily the narrative of a love story, the volume also provides its readers with a fine analysis of the legal, social, intellectual, and religious realities of the time, all explained with great clarity.The most important aspects of the book, however, are the careful reading of the primary sources and the balanced interpretation of these sources.As such, this work is an excellent example of how microhistory should be approached and written.