Pietro Aretino (US: , Italian: [ˈpjɛːtro areˈtiːno]; 19 or 20 April 1492 – 21 October 1556) was an Italian author, playwright, poet, satirist and blackmailer, who wielded influence on contemporary art and politics. He was one of the most influential writers of his time and an outspoken critic of the powerful. Owing to his communications and sympathies with religious reformers, he is considered to have been a Nicodemite Protestant. He was a good friend of the Venetian artist Titian, who painted his portrait three times. Source: Wikipedia (en)