An aspiring woman physician?

Doria di Pescara, Geronima, Marchesa di Pescara (1612-1682). Autograph letter signed.

€ 850.00

Interesting letter to her cousin, Cardinal Girolamo Colonna (1604-66), informing him that she has fulfilled his request and presented her (unspecified) work to a physician named Arcangelo Ferdonis and his sons, who were servants of Colonna, so that they may profit from it: "Al medico Arcangelo Ferdonis, et a Lattanzio e Carlo suoi figli Vassalli di V. E.enza, che mi hanno resa l'humanissima sua, ho essibita tutta l'opera mia, in quello, che la conosceranno profittevoli p[er] loro beneficio come già ne sentono gli effetti, onde a me non resta se non di supplicare L'Em.za V.a favorirmi d'altri suoi comandam.ti, che saranno sempre da me graditi, et esseguiti con l'osser.za che devo [...]".

Unfortunately, little is known about Geronima Doria that could help to contextualize the letter. Considering that Arcangelo Ferdonis was a physician, it appears possible that Doria passed on expertise in midwifery or other medical knowledge.

Minor stains and browning.