The Business of Prostitution in Early Renaissance Venice

Venice's late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries saw the establishment of a legalized prostitution system, managed by government officials and primarily operated by women brothel-keepers. This study reveals how debt and credit mechanisms within this system often subjugated prostitutes to their brothel-keepers and other creditors, limiting their autonomy. The research also explores the integration of sex workers into local society and traces broader trends in Venetian policy toward prostitution up to the sixteenth century. By analyzing archival records, the study reconstructs the economic and social dynamics of this unique business model, offering insights into gender roles and state regulation during the Renaissance.

Clarke, P. C. (2015). The Business of Prostitution in Early Renaissance Venice. Renaissance Quarterly, 68(2), 419–464. https://doi.org/10.1086/682434