Background
Vincenzo da Filicaja was born in Florence, Italy on December 30, 1642 to an ancient and noble family.
Vincenzo da Filicaja was born in Florence, Italy on December 30, 1642 to an ancient and noble family.
Vincenzo da Filicaja studied at the University of Pisa, returned to Florence, married, and began to devote himself to literary affairs.
Filicaja returned to Florence after his studies, married, and began to devote himself to literary affairs. A skilled jurist and a true humanist as well, he came to the attention of Christina of Sweden, who became his patroness. Later he was made a senator by Grand Duke Cosmo III of Tuscany and served as governor of Volterra and Pisa. He enjoyed in his day the reputation of an honest man and a distinguished poet, and his six Canzoni on the siege and liberation of Vienna were particularly admired. Modern criticism has relegated him to a lower rank than that assigned by his contemporaries, but certain of his elegiac verses are still held in esteem, and both Foscolo and Leopardi praised the sincerity of his patriotism. Filicaia's sonnet to Italy in servitude has an intensity of feeling as well as a beauty of form that justifies its survival, and this sonnet alone would assure him a respected place among Italian poets.
(Lettere inedite a Lorenzo Magalotti)