Aspiring Saints

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The investigation of visionaries in Venice between 1618 and 1750 reveals complex dynamics of gender and authority. Anne Jacobson Schutte analyzes the cultural and institutional contexts that led to the prosecution of sixteen individuals, predominantly women, for alleged heresy. Through an examination of inquisitorial records and theological texts, she highlights how societal perceptions of gender influenced the Inquisition's treatment of the accused, particularly contrasting the experiences of non-elite women claiming visions with those of male clergy. This study offers insights into early modern religious practices and gender relations.