L'Arétin en France

Caroline Fischer : Aretino in France. During his lifetime, Pietro Aretino (1492-1556) was a celebrity who was received by François I and spoken of as a famous writer by Montaigne. Major figures of 17th-century literature such as Corneille, Gilbert, Molière and La Fontaine drew inspiration from his life and works. In the 18th Century his name was synonymous with erotic and satirical literature. Aretino' s catalogue of positions was legendary, and his life was much better known than his works, which were hardly published after 1660. A that moment, the erotic novel appeared on the French scene with L'École des filles, L'Académie des dames and, shortly after, Vénus dans le cloître (ca 1680). All three novels were clearly influenced by Aretino' s Ragionamenti (dialogues of courtisans) and in turn left their imprint on 18th-century erotic literature. Even when Aretino' s influence was only evident to observant eyes, he was rightfully considered as a pornographer par excellence.Fischer Caroline. L'Arétin en France. In: Dix-huitième Siècle, n°28, 1996. L'Orient. pp. 367-384