Abstract
Lodovico Gonzaga, Marchese of Mantua from 1444 to 1478, is a figure invariably mentioned by historians and art historians of the Italian Renaissance. While he is rightly renowned for his wise government, his military exploits and his prolific patronage of art and architecture, this thesis aims to present another facet of Lodovico’s persona which is seldom afforded due consideration: his outstanding sponsorship of letters and learning.
The first part of the thesis contextualises Lodovico Gonzaga and Mantua in the fifteenth century. Chapter One gives an account of the dynasty’s origins and rise to prominence, followed by a profile of Lodovico and his immediate family, a geopolitical definition of his state, an account of his career as a respected condottiere and a discussion of his political achievements. These are followed in Chapter Two by a discussion of his significant patronage of art and architecture, where a gradual shift in taste from Gothic to Renaissance heralded Mantua’s new status as a leading centre of the visual arts.
The second part of the thesis examines two Mantuan cultural institutions which blossomed during the lifetime of Lodovico. The first of these, discussed in Chapter Three, is the Mantuan school, governed by the outstanding pedagogue Vittorno da Feltre, from whom Lodovico gained the inestimable benefit of a thorough humanist education; the focus of Chapter Four, meanwhile, is the outstanding Gonzaga Library, which the marchese nourished for the duration of his rule.
Following this discussion of the library, the third part of the thesis provides an insight into the actual production of books in Mantua. Chapter Five charts the extensive activity of the many scribes and miniaturists employed to enrich Lodovico’s collections, while Chapter Six considers the circumstances behind the establishment of Mantua’s first printing presses and the literary climate of these early years, which witnessed remarkable levels of output.
The fourth and final section of the thesis examines Lodovico’s relations with men of letters. Chapter Seven focuses on the lives and works of three Mantuan writers – Giovanni Pietro Arrivabene, Giovanni Franceso Suardi and Filippo Nuvoloni – and provides an analysis of their relations with the marchese. Chapter Eight, meanwhile, looks at the dynamics of Lodovico’s fruitful association with three of the century’s major humanists – Francesco Filelfo, Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II) and Leon Battista Alberti – before briefly discussing Angelo Poliziano in relation to Mantua.
It will be argued, in conclusion, that Lodovico Gonzaga’s support for scholars far exceeded that of mere patron; he was a ruler of considerable learning and discernment, an exemplary Renaissance prince of both arms and letters.
The first part of the thesis contextualises Lodovico Gonzaga and Mantua in the fifteenth century. Chapter One gives an account of the dynasty’s origins and rise to prominence, followed by a profile of Lodovico and his immediate family, a geopolitical definition of his state, an account of his career as a respected condottiere and a discussion of his political achievements. These are followed in Chapter Two by a discussion of his significant patronage of art and architecture, where a gradual shift in taste from Gothic to Renaissance heralded Mantua’s new status as a leading centre of the visual arts.
The second part of the thesis examines two Mantuan cultural institutions which blossomed during the lifetime of Lodovico. The first of these, discussed in Chapter Three, is the Mantuan school, governed by the outstanding pedagogue Vittorno da Feltre, from whom Lodovico gained the inestimable benefit of a thorough humanist education; the focus of Chapter Four, meanwhile, is the outstanding Gonzaga Library, which the marchese nourished for the duration of his rule.
Following this discussion of the library, the third part of the thesis provides an insight into the actual production of books in Mantua. Chapter Five charts the extensive activity of the many scribes and miniaturists employed to enrich Lodovico’s collections, while Chapter Six considers the circumstances behind the establishment of Mantua’s first printing presses and the literary climate of these early years, which witnessed remarkable levels of output.
The fourth and final section of the thesis examines Lodovico’s relations with men of letters. Chapter Seven focuses on the lives and works of three Mantuan writers – Giovanni Pietro Arrivabene, Giovanni Franceso Suardi and Filippo Nuvoloni – and provides an analysis of their relations with the marchese. Chapter Eight, meanwhile, looks at the dynamics of Lodovico’s fruitful association with three of the century’s major humanists – Francesco Filelfo, Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II) and Leon Battista Alberti – before briefly discussing Angelo Poliziano in relation to Mantua.
It will be argued, in conclusion, that Lodovico Gonzaga’s support for scholars far exceeded that of mere patron; he was a ruler of considerable learning and discernment, an exemplary Renaissance prince of both arms and letters.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | PhD |
Awarding Institution |
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Award date | 2 Jul 2010 |
Place of Publication | Dublin |
Publication status | Published - 2 Jul 2010 |
Keywords
- Lodovico Gonzaga
- patronage
- Mantua