La représentation de Diane de Poitiers dans les fictions narratives françaises du XVIIe siècle: Villedieu, Lafayette, Fontenelle

Abstract

Diane de Poitiers never stopped protecting creators and inspiring artists. But long after her role as patron, protector, and model during her lifetime, she continued to inspire the creators by becoming a "paper creature". A series of texts makes it possible to follow the evolution of the historical figure of the royal favorite: it appears for  the first time in the Journal amoureux (1669-1671) published by Madame de Villedieu; she returned a few years later under the name of the "Duchess of Valentinois" in The Princess of Cleves (1678) by Mme de Lafayette, before being resurrected by Fontenelle who made her speak in the New Dialogues of the Dead (1683).

Keywords

• Diane de Poitiers
• 17th century
• France
• History
• Literature