“La Païva,” a Scarlet Woman of the 19th Century in Action

In Liber AL vel Legis III: 44, the Scarlet Woman is enjoined to: “But let her raise herself in pride! Let her follow in my way! Let her work the work of wickedness! Let her kill her heart! Let her be loud and adulterous! Let her be covered with jewels, and rich garments , and let her be shameless before all men!”

Few individuals have embodied this as full — and successfully — as Esther Pauline Lachmann as this account from the BBC reveals. Born in the early 19th century, Lachmann, who eventually came to be known as “La Païva,” was born and raised a Russian Jewish peasant but eventually entrenched herself in the highest echelons of European society.

Read the story here:

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20151222-la-pava-19th-century-paris-celebrity-prostitute

thanks for Soror Hypatia for the tip!