Clorinda Donato Books

Catterina Vizzani, a young Roman woman, pursued her love interest while disguised as a man. To escape potential legal repercussions for her sexual orientation, she transformed into Giovanni Bordoni, fully embracing a male identity through the most significant physical change available in the eighteenth century. This volume presents Giovanni Bianchi's 1744 Italian account of Vizzani/Bordoni, now available for the first time alongside a modern English translation, offering insight into Bianchi's objective exploration of gender. It also includes John Cleland's embellished 1751 version, highlighting the differing sexual politics between Bianchi's original and Cleland's narrative. Clorinda Donato examines Bianchi's work as an anatomical practitioner and his advocacy for tolerance of diverse sexual orientations. The chapters delve into medical and philosophical inquiries regarding sexual preference, reproduction, identity, and gender fluidity, reflecting Enlightenment anatomists' efforts to understand the connection between mind and reproductive organs. Additionally, Cleland's critique of women who 'pass' as men reveals the social implications of gender ambiguity. The volume explores the motivations behind Bianchi and Cleland's storytelling, framing it as either a narrative of empowerment or a cautionary tale amid shifting sexual attitudes in Europe, balancing scientific inquiry with social norms.