His traditional image as a magnanimous patron of arts, as later proclaimed in Ludovico Ariosto's poem Orlando Furioso,  is also an idealized representation. While spending extravagantly on culture and spectacle to promote his political image, he was far from generous with the artists he patronized, whom he did not consider worthy of any special consideration.
The public perception of him as a benevolent patron of arts, as depicted in Ludovico Ariosto's poem "Orlando Furioso," is an idealized view.  While he funded cultural events and spectacles to bolster his political image, he was not generous with the artists he supported, whom he considered unworthy of special treatment.