Negotiating with things : Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilj, material culture and authority in Early Modern Rome
This thesis contributes to the understanding of how women created networks through material culture in the Early Modern period through an examination of the possessions of Donna Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilj (1591-1657), the sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X (1574-1655). During her lifetime, Donna Olimpia benefited financially and socially from her strong papal connections but was also the subject of constant attack because of this relationship, with allegation of inappropriate behaviour and abuses of authority. She was characterized by contemporaries as greedy and avaricious and accused of facilitating political favours for personal compensation. However, an analysis shows that Donna Olimpia's behaviour was the traditional behaviour of the cardinal nephew. What was unusual was that a woman was holding this role. While Donna Olimpia acquired great wealth, as evidenced by her vast holdings, this thesis does not examine her material through the framework of <i>collezionismo</i>.Â Instead, this study is primarily concerned with providing an assessment of the noblewoman's possessions, arguing that many of the objects she acquired were the result of attempts to create and benefit from political networks and establish
Rotondo, Natalia Angela
Negotiating with things : Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilj, material culture and authority in Early Modern Rome. This thesis contributes to the understanding of how women created networks through material culture in the Early Modern period through an examination of the possessions of Donna Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilj (1591-1657), the sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X (1574-1655). During her lifetime, Donna Olimpia benefited financially and socially from her strong papal connections but was also the subject of constant attack because of this relationship, with allegation of inappropriate behaviour and abuses of authority. She was characterized by contemporaries as greedy and avaricious and accused of facilitating political favours for personal compensation. However, an analysis shows that Donna Olimpia's behaviour was the traditional behaviour of the cardinal nephew. What was unusual was that a woman was holding this role. While Donna Olimpia acquired great wealth, as evidenced by her vast holdings, this thesis does not examine her material through the framework of <i>collezionismo</i>.Â Instead, this study is primarily concerned with providing an assessment of the noblewoman's possessions, arguing that many of the objects she acquired were the result of attempts to create and benefit from political networks and establish
negotiating thing material_culture authority early_modern rome contributes woman create network material_culture early_modern_period examination possession sister law pope innocent lifetime benefit financially socially strong papal connection also subject constant attack relationship allegation inappropriate behaviour abuse authority characterize contemporary accuse facilitate political favour personal compensation however analysis_show behaviour traditional behaviour cardinal nephew unusual woman hold role acquire great wealth evidence vast holding examine material framework instead study primarily_concern provide_assessment noblewoman possession argue many object acquire attempt_create benefit political network establish