Not much is known of Straparola's life save for a few facts regarding his published works. He was likely born some time around 1485 in Caravaggio, Italy (on the Lombard plain east of Milan). However, nothing more is known of his life until 1508 when he is found to be in Venice where he signed his name "Zoan" on the title page of his Opera nova de Zoan Francesco Straparola da Caravaggio novamente stampata (New Works).
Frontispiece:
ELEVENS NIGHT, SECOND FABLE. BERTUCCIO'S BRIDE.