This painting from 1494 is possibly a depiction of the famed Lucrezia Borgia appearing as Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The oxymoronic nature of such a depiction is obvious if we have heard of the many legends (incest, poisonings, etc) of this _femme fatale_. Of course, many of the tales are completely unproven, and probably can be attributed to the misogyny that typically surrounded powerful women, along with the antics typical of the Italian Renaissance’s leading families. (The drama would make George Martin take notes.) All fronts are agreed, though, that Lucrezia was a well educated woman and capable administrator who played her part in the Borgia family dynamics well. Married off three times for political reasons, Lucrezia took on several lovers who adored her. Attached is a snippet from a letter by Pietro Bembo, attesting to his obsession for Lucrezia.
Source(s): https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.historyandwomen.com/2011/03/love-letters-pietro-bembo-to-lucrezia.html%3Fm%3D1&ved=2ahUKEwjuruyEkvHiAhUEcq0KHcdxDjIQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw1F6-06reZB3DUtynuAiIit .
