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Isabella d'Este painted by Titian.
Isabella d'Este (18 May 147413 February 1539) was marchesa of Mantuamarker and one of the leading women of the Italianmarker Renaissance and a major cultural and political figure.


Born in Ferraramarker, she was the first daughter of Ercole I d'Este, Duke of Ferraramarker, and Leonora of Naples, daughter of Ferdinand I of Naples, the Aragonese King of Naples, and Isabella of Taranto.

Early life

Isabella was born in May 1474 to the Duke Ercole and Duchess Leonora of Ferrara. She was received with great joy. A son was hoped for but could wait. One year later in June 1475 her sister Beatrice d'Este was born. Then in 1476 and 1477 two brothers were born. The first was Alfonso and second Ippolitto. In 1479 and 1480 two more brothers were born.They were Ferrante and Sigismondo. Of all the children Isabella reigned as the favorite.




As Isabella grew, she received a royal schooling. As a child she studied Roman history, and rapidly learned to translate Greek and Latin. Because of her stunning intellect, she often discussed the classics and the affairs of the day with ambassadors. Moreover, she knew the painters, musicians, writers, and scholars, who lived in and around the court. Besides her knowledge of history and languages, she could also recite Virgil and Terrence by heart, was an expert with lute, singing, and an innovator of new dances.

In 1480, at age six, Isabella was betrothed to Francesco Gonzaga, the heir to the Marquis of Mantua. Although he was not handsome, Isabella liked him for his strength and bravery; she also thought that he was a gentleman. After their first few encounters, she found she liked him and spent the next few years getting to know him and preparing herself to be the Marchesa of Mantua. During their courtship, Isabella treasured the letters, poems, and sonnets he sent her as gifts.


Ten years later, at age 16, she married the 25 year old, now reigning Francesco Gonzaga and became his wife and Marchesa amid a spectacular outpouring of popular acclamation. Besides the Marquis Francesco was also Captain General of the republic of Venice armies. Because of his many duties, a couple of days after their honeymoon he left her to perform her responsibilities on her own.

Isabella was not abandoned: she spent time with her mother and sister, and once she met Elisabetta Gonzaga her 18-year-old sister-in-law the two became fast and warm friends.

Influence on people



After three years of waiting, a daughter was born to Isabella in 1493. The baby was named Leonora in memory of her mother who had recently died. Three years later another girl was born, but died within two months. In 1500 she bore a son, named Federico, and the Gonzaga dynasty was assured continuity.

She then gave birth to two daughters, Livia (1501-1508) and Ippolita (1503-1570), soon followed by two sons, Ercole in 1505 and Ferrante in 1507. In 1508 she had another daughter, named Livia in memory of the child's older sister died in that same year, and later another boy, Pietro.

Federico succeeded to his father in 1519 ( though initially under Isabella's regency because of his young age ), and later obtained the title of Duke.Adhering to the usual paths for noble women, Leonora went on to marry the condottiero and Duke of Urbino Francesco della Rovere, while Livia and Ippolita became nuns.Ercole became an influential Cardinal in the Papal court, while Ferrante devoted his life to arms and battle and eventually served as Governor of the Duchy of Milan (1546-1554).


During the time of her children's birth her husband, now Captain General of the united forces, was battling with the French king Charles VIII to keep him from taking territory in Italy. In 1509 he was captured in his sleep and taken to Venice. Made regent by the state Isabella took command of the city's armies and successfully held off the enemy hosts. In 1512 a peace treaty was signed and her husband was released.


Years later Isabella returned to Mantua for a short period of time. In 1525 she returned to Rome and was quoted as saying, "all my heart is in Rome." Then once again on May 6, 1527 she defended her fortified position from German mercenary attacks led by the forces of Charles V, and gave aid and comfort to refugees.





After her marriage to Francesco Gonzaga, she lived in Mantuamarker. They were Ariosto's patrons while he was writing Orlando Furioso and both she and her husband were greatly influenced by Baldassare Castiglione, author of The Courtier ( Il Cortigiano ) a model for aristocratic decorum for two hundred years, and it was at his suggestion that Giulio Romano was summoned to Mantua to enlarge the Castello and other buildings.




She was painted twice by Titian, while a portrait drawing by Leonardo da Vinci is at the Louvremarker.


Later life


After the death of her husband, Isabella ruled Mantua as regent for her son, Federico. She began to play an important role in Italian politics, steadily advancing Mantua's position. She played a role in advancing Mantua to a Duchy, which was obtained by wise political use of her son's marriage contracts, and also obtaining a cardinal for her son Ercole. She also showed great diplomatic and political skill in her negotiations with Cesare Borgia, who had dispossessed Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, duke of Urbino, the husband of her sister-in-law and good friend Elisabetta Gonzaga (1502).

Further Reading

George, L., The Public Perception of Isabella d'Este, Clio History Journal, 2009.

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