* Social status: Venetian women were subject to the authority of their fathers or husbands, and had few legal rights. They were not allowed to own property, make contracts, or vote.
* Marriage: Venetian women typically married between the ages of 15 and 20. Marriages were usually arranged by the families of the bride and groom, and were based on social and economic considerations rather than love.
* Childbearing: Venetian women were expected to bear children, and those who did not were often considered to be failures. The average Venetian woman had between five and ten children.
* Domestic duties: Venetian women were responsible for taking care of the home and raising the children. They were also expected to assist their husbands in their businesses.
* Education: Venetian women were not typically educated, but some noblewomen received a basic education in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
* Fashion: Venetian women dressed in elaborate and often revealing clothing. The most popular colors were red, yellow, and blue. Women wore dresses with low necklines and puffed sleeves, and their hair was often elaborately styled.
* Religion: Venetian women were Roman Catholic, and they were expected to attend church regularly. They were also expected to obey the rules of the church, which included fasting during Lent and abstaining from sex on certain days.
Challenges Faced by Venetian Women
Venetian women faced a number of challenges in the late early modern period. These challenges included:
* Legal inequality: Venetian women had few legal rights, and they were subject to the authority of their fathers or husbands.
* Early marriage: Venetian women typically married between the ages of 15 and 20, which meant that they often had little opportunity to develop their own identities or pursue their own interests.
* High rate of childbirth: Venetian women were expected to bear children, and those who did not were often considered to be failures. The average Venetian woman had between five and ten children, which put a strain on their health and well-being.
* Limited education: Venetian women were not typically educated, which meant that they had few opportunities to improve their social and economic status.
* Social isolation: Venetian women were often confined to the home, and they had limited contact with the outside world. This could lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Despite these challenges, Venetian women found ways to assert their independence and influence their own lives. Some women became successful businesswomen, artists, and writers. Others worked to improve the lives of women and children in Venice. By the end of the late early modern period, Venetian women had made significant progress in achieving greater equality and freedom.