Famous Renaissance Figures
By Room 108
Today, we will give a detailed report on the great and loved Marchesa of Mantua, Isabella D'Este. We will go over her accomplishments, her personal life, and her worldviews. On top of all that, we will discuss her reputation amongst the Europeans as well as her hopes for society. We will bring Isabella to life through our Radio Broadcast, which will discuss one worldview that she applied in order to make her society a better place. Now, without any further ado get out your notebooks and let's get started. . . !
Who was Isabella?
(Marchesa of Mantua)
Isabella was part of the D'Este family. She grew up in Ferrara with her many brothers and sisters. Ever since she was young she had been betrothed to the fourth Marquis of Mantua and because of that, when she grew older (at the age of sixteen) she became the Marchesa of Mantua. On top of that, she was a patron of music and art being highly educated in those fields herself. Isabella was also a great politician and ruler since she ruled Mantua for many years as regent due to her husband's absence. All in all, Isabella was the Marchesa of Mantua, patron of art and music, and a ruler.
Isabella D'Este
By: Aamna and Krupa
8-108
The image above is of Isabella when she was young. She was said to be a bit "healthy" but despite that she was still described as physically attractive.
What does Marchesa of Mantua mean?
To put it simply, Marchesa means Italian marchioness and a marchioness is the wife of a Marquis. A Marquis in Europe classified as a rank higher than a nobleman but lower than a duke. Mantua on the other hand is a city-state in Italy. It was, during the Renaissance, a center for culture; it was also quite famous because under Isabella influence Mantua became known for supporting patrons of music and singers.
Where did she live?
Isabella spent her childhood in Ferarra but lived most of her life in Mantua. She occasionally lived in other city-states such as Rome when she was finished ruling as regent.
When was she born and when did she die?
Isabella D'Este was born on 18 May 1474 in Ferrara. She died on 13 February 1539 in Solaroro, which is a part of Romagna.
Why was a girl a ruler?
Isabella became a ruler when her husband, Francesco II, was captured by Venetian troops and became unable to rule Mantua. As a result, Isabella stepped in and took control. Due to her magnificent way of ruling, she became well-liked by her subjects to such an extent that when her weak-willed husband came back, he was humiliated because his political ability was outdone by his wife. Even after Francesco's return, Isabella ruled Mantua, but this time she ruled because of her son being a minor and not being educated enough to rule.
How was she so successful?
The reason she became so successful was because of her style of ruling. She ruled in a way that benefited everyone and she allowed no harm to come to her subjects. This was done by critically thinking about all the best options. On top of that she was very keen, so nothing could have been done without Isabella's knowledge. Not only because of that, but all the great leadership skills she had helped her in ruling. The reason that we believe she was successful was because of all the skills that she possessed such as thinking critically, being keen and being devoted to ruling.
Personal Life
Isabella, from the moment she was born into the D’Este family in 18 May 1474, had been given a great education. She was taught many things such as knowing how to dance or learning how to read and write Roman and Greek language. Moving on, Isabella, at the age of six betrothed to the fourth marquis of mantua who was Gianfranceseco at the time. However due to some events Isabella married Francesco instead. Her husband was constantly away since he was also the Captain General of the armies of the Republic of Venice and therefore, Isabella would take control of the state. This made her very liked throughout many lands even more so than her husband.
During her husband’s long capture, Isabella found other ways to keep her company. She would spend time with her sisters, her mother and her sister-in-law, Lucrezia Borgia. Little did Isabella know that her very own sister-in-law would be her husband’s mistress. Their relationship as well as Isabella’s marriage soon ended when her husbad died. After her husband’s death Isabella became the regent for her son, Federico. After filling in for her son, she roamed around and continued to do what she pleased as an independent women. Since she was very little she partook in testing out many new instruments, her interest later showed up when she grew up and for she spent her time in cultural pursuit.
The image above is of Francesco Gonzaga II, Isabella’s husband.
Accomplishments
Isabella D’Este had made multiple accomplishments in her life. At the age of sixteen, Isabella D'Este was able to speak Greek and Latin as well as play the lute, sing, dance, and debate with people much older than her about politics. For this purpose, her earlier life helped her achieve great things while she was ruling Mantua especially when Mantua needed it in the famine. Not only that, but due to fine education in her earlier life, she showed great leadership skills and was able to rule the city on her own even without her husband's aid.
Her other major accomplishment was the school for young women, which she founded. Isabella believed that it is important for not only boys but also girls to be educated as well for the importance and benefits of the society. In the school, which she created, young women had to observe a strict code of morals. She was a patron of the Arts and she set artistic fashions and standards that were copied by noblewomen all over Europe. Isabella was exceptionally talented in the lute. The image on the left shows a lute.
Analysis
One of Isabella’s greatest work aside from her great ruling and all of her work done in the Sack of Rome and the famine that killed one third of Mantua’s population, in our perspective is the school that Isabella built. In a time where women were not truly valued to their fullest potential, hearing about Isabella a busy Marchesa going through all the trouble to start a school all the while controlling and defending a state shows determination to change the rules of society. This situation shows great courage and determination. It somewhat reminds my partner and I of all the countries and places in the world that still value boys over girls. It makes us think about how fortunate we are, as girls, to receive an education. Just thinking about the fact that there are people out there that can’t have any type of education makes us feel disappointed. In our society people are constantly given a choice to go to school but many end up dropping out of it. Whereas, at the same time, there are people who in their entire lifetime get no education at all. On top of feeling disappointed we also feel glad that there are people like Isabella who are dedicating their life to make the world a better place to live by educating girls. Not only that, but it also makes think about the possibility that there might be an “Isabella” in the modern world too that changes people’s mind into thinking that both genders are equal. Isabella has been an amazing model for the past generation and we hope that the new “Isabellas” influence others in a good way as well.
Radio Broadcast With The One And Only Isabella D'Este:
The following is a Radio Broadcast in which Isabella D’Este gets interviewed. Isabella will be asked about her accomplishments and hopes for the society in the following.
Sources
1. Pearson, C., (2008) “Isabella D’Este.” Online.
http://www.davincismuse.com/about-da-vincis-muse-for-women/isabella-deste
2. Lewis, J., (2014) “Renaissance Arts Patron.” Online.
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/medievalitalianwomen/a/isabella_d_este.htm
3. Sackler, E., (2014) “Isabella D’Este.” Online.
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/medievalitalianwomen/a/isabella_d_este.htm
4. Duncan, K., (2007) “Women in Charge.” Online.
http://legacy.lakeforest.edu/images/userImages/larson/Page_3948/Isabella_d_Este.pdf
5. Kress, S., (2013) “Artists and patrons” Italian Renaissance Learning Resources. Online.
http://italianrenaissanceresources.com/units/unit-8/essays/isabella-deste-collects/
6. Connor, E.; Fitton, A.; Goodman, D.; (2007) "Worldviews: Contact and Change." 88. Textbook.
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Prezi:
The link below is of a prezi that both partners worked hard to make. If you'd like to please take a look at it. It contains the same information plus more. On top of that it's formated in a way that we all understand. So. . . check it out!