Politics

City of Mantua

ianfrancesco Gonzaga (Gianfrancesco I), marquis of Mantua: was the first Renaissance prince in the Gonzaga family who was a fine soldier. His historical claim to fame is his introduction of Renaissance learning to Mantua.

Gianfrancesco was known to be very violent and dangerous at times, but his love of learning and desire to promote it was quite sincere. In 1423, Gianfrancesco persuaded Vittorino da Feltre, one of the great Renaissance scholars, to come to his court and teach the children of noble families in subjects such as athletics, military arts, religion, mathematics, music and painting. Gianfrancesco died at age forty-five in 1444, leaving two of his sons, Carlo and Lodovico, with bitter feelings over who would rule Mantua.

Ludovico Gonzaga, marquis of Mantua: eldest son of Gianfrancesco I. His historical claim to fame is his thirty-four year rule as the most successful and enlightened of the Gonzagas to rule.

Having studied at an early age with Vittorino da Feltre, Ludovico had a life-long love of learning and culture. He was a patron of many artists and scholars. He collected works by Virgil and sponsored a printing press in Mantua. Ludovico was a great builder who saw to the improvement and construction of various public works in Mantua. He loved art and hired the magnificent artist Andrea Mantegna as his court painter in 1460. Throughout his life, Ludovico was much admired and was never accused of any cruelties or crimes. He died at age sixty-five in 1478.

Federigo Gonzaga, marquis of Mantua: son of Ludovico and, in the tradition of his family, a condottiere to armies such as that of Milan. His historical claim to fame was his slight incompetence in battle and his capable rule of Mantua.

Federigo was a good father to his six children. One of his daughters, Elisabetta became duchess of Urbino after her marriage to Guidobaldo. He died after six years of rule at the age of forty-four.

Francesco Gonzaga, marquis of Mantua: son of Federigo and a mediocre soldier. His historical claim to fame was his flamboyant personality that personified the Renaissance princes of his time and his marriage to the most celebrated woman of the Renaissance, Isabella d'Este.

Francesco was, in general, a weak, stupid, and spiteful man. He was, however, kind to the women in his life. He liked his sister and was in love with his wife at the beginning of their marriage. His charisma and charm appealed to all people. He seduced many girls and fathered many bastards. Francesco was always quick to take offence and rarely gave up a grudge. He was also never as educated or intelligent as his wife, Isabella. He contracted syphilis and died in 1519.

Isabella d'Este: wife of Francesco Gonzaga and daughter of Ercole d'Este. Her historical claim to fame is her leadership, learning, and patronage of the arts.

Isabella was much more intelligent, educated, and cultured than her husband. She was forceful and accustomed to power and getting what she wanted. She also was a woman of great poise and self-control, though. She was charming and well-liked, though she was often quite scheming. Isabella spent a great deal of money and soon went into debt. She sometimes had to pawn her jewelry, but she never stopped buying paintings, sculpture, antiques, musical instruments, engraved medals, medieval romances, Greek and Latin scripts, fine printed books from Venice, and illuminated volumes of poetry. She was a collector of beautiful things. In addition, Isabella was the only Italian ruler to recognize Leónardo da Vinci's genius, and she artfully convinced him to paint a portrait of her. However, Leónardo never painted her portrait in oils, and his preliminary chalk drawing is all that survived. During her husband's lengthy imprisonment in Venice, Isabella took over rule of Mantua with great success. She ruled until Francesco's death ten years later.