I know the poem by Dorothy Parker about her for some time now but today I got the first time the chance to read something about her (I got a new book today with 300 portraits of important women).
One thing amazed me the most: After the birth she gave her children to the father(s) and never bothered with motherhood.
Born November the 10th 1620 in Paris I think she was the first real emancipated woman. She never married and remained all her life financially independent. She was beautiful witty and smart read a lot realized what nonsense religion is and was famous for her “Caprices” (as she called it). She dies on the 17th of October 1705 although she was 85 she still had some quite young lovers and never lost her charms.
Quote: “Feminine virtue is nothing but a convenient masculine invention.”
Ninon De Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday
So let me have the rouge again,
And comb my hair the curly way.
The poor young men, the dear young men
They'll all be here by noon today.
And I shall wear the blue, I think--
They beg to touch its rippled lace;
Or do they love me best in pink,
So sweetly flattering the face?
And are you sure my eyes are bright,
And is it true my cheek is clear?
Young what's-his-name stayed half the night;
He vows to cut his throat, poor dear!
So bring my scarlet slippers, then,
And fetch the powder-puff to me.
The dear young men, the poor young men--
They think I'm only seventy!
-Dorothy Parker
