Artwork Information

It has been suggested that these three courtesans were Angela, Leonora and Nannina, who lived in the Palazzo Bolognetti, Rome. The artist was particularly enamoured of the latter during his time there. One writer described their poses and elaborate coiffures as creating an aura of sexual menace, further heightened by the central figure’s exposed breasts. Her bold gesture drawing back the curtains makes her appear as if she is coming on stage, whereas the figure in the foreground lifts up drapery as if to cover her.