Francesco Rovai

Francesco Rovai (1605–1647) was a Florentine-Jewish poet during the Baroque era.

Biography Rovai was a member of the Accademia Degli Alterati and Accademia degli Apatisti, the latter of which was a Florentine society of academics sponsored by the Medici family. He was known there under the name Rainero Fucasco: an anagram of his own name. He was also regarded highly in the Accademia degli Svogliati, having been attested to there as early as 1626, when he was only 21 years old, and he became consul of the organization in 1645. Additionally, he was fluent in Italian, Ancient Greek, Latin, and French.

His prose was influenced by the style of Gabriello Chiabrera, and his writing was imbued with many allusions to ancient mythology and history. He is most known for his posthumous anthology, "Poesi...", which encompassed his many works and was compiled by Niccolo Rovai. There was a possible elogy of him written by English poet John Milton, however any proof that the work was finished no longer exists and the piece is not extant.

Relationships with other Baroque intellectuals

He is mentioned in a letter from Carlo Roberto Dati to Milton. Dati is recorded to have been an enthusiast of Rovai, and even helped plan his funeral,

Art historian Filippo Baldinucci claimed that Lorenzo Lippi had been inspired by Rovai for the Canto I section of his mock epic, Il Malmantile racquistato.