TY - JOUR

T1 - Louïze Labé Lionnoize

T2 - The making of an Early Modern Author

AU - Amundsen Bergström, Matilda

PY - 2021/9

Y1 - 2021/9

N2 - In this article, I discuss three central peritexts included in French poet Louise Labé’s Euvres de Louïze Labé Lionnoize, printed by Jean de Tournes in Lyon in 1555: the title page, the royal privilege, and a collection of celebratory poems. Arguing that the Early Modern book provided a space where women authors and their editors could engage with ongoing debates about women and their artistic capabilities, I analyse how the author figure Louise Labé is presented in these peritexts, tying that image to the contents of the book as well as to prevalent views on women authors. Highlighting the critique that a woman who published in print was likely to face, I argue that the peritexts can be connected to specific, sometimes traditional, sometimes unconventional, marketing strategies that correlate to Labé’s poetry and preface. In addition, I highlight the commercial aspects of the book, arguing that the peritexts were used to entice multiple types of readers (and buyers) to invest in the book.

AB - In this article, I discuss three central peritexts included in French poet Louise Labé’s Euvres de Louïze Labé Lionnoize, printed by Jean de Tournes in Lyon in 1555: the title page, the royal privilege, and a collection of celebratory poems. Arguing that the Early Modern book provided a space where women authors and their editors could engage with ongoing debates about women and their artistic capabilities, I analyse how the author figure Louise Labé is presented in these peritexts, tying that image to the contents of the book as well as to prevalent views on women authors. Highlighting the critique that a woman who published in print was likely to face, I argue that the peritexts can be connected to specific, sometimes traditional, sometimes unconventional, marketing strategies that correlate to Labé’s poetry and preface. In addition, I highlight the commercial aspects of the book, arguing that the peritexts were used to entice multiple types of readers (and buyers) to invest in the book.

KW - Faculty of Humanities

KW - book history

KW - Early Modern French History

KW - women's literature

KW - gender history

U2 - 10.1111/rest.12714

DO - 10.1111/rest.12714

M3 - Journal article

VL - 35

SP - 621

EP - 637

JO - Renaissance Studies

JF - Renaissance Studies

SN - 0269-1213

IS - 4

ER -