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Isabella d’Este
Isabella d’Este was a very skilled leading lady of the Italian Renaissance. Witty, artistic and kind, Isabella was an early patron to the arts and one of the first feminists. A loving, intelligent, graceful and resourceful woman, Isabella d’Este was once named the prima donna del modo, or the First Lady of the World.
Isabella was born in 1474 into the wealthy d’Este family in Ferrara, Italy. Isabella was born into a cultured court as a firstborn child and was the center of her household. At her father’s wishes, Isabella was educated alongside her younger brothers and sister, and became very learned. By the time she reached sixteen years of age, Isabella could speak Greek and Latin fluently, play the lute, sing, dance, and debate very well with people much older than her. Also when she was sixteen, Isabella married the Marquis Francesco Gonzaga, and became the Marchioness of Mantua.
Francesco Gonzaga was a brave soldier and a complete, if ugly, gentleman, and together with Isabella, he ruled Mantua wisely. With him, Isabella had at least four daughters and three sons. Her firstborn, Eleonora, was a girl, as was her second, Margherita, which proved to be a grievous point for her, as she longed for a male heir. Eventually, Isabella got her wish and bore three healthy sons. The first, Frederigo, was destined to the throne of Mantua; the second, Ercole, went on to work in the Church; the third, Ferronte, became a successful general in the army. Isabella’s other two daughters, Paola and Ippolita, were fairly unknown and went into a convent.
In 1509, when Isabella was 35 years old, Francesco was captured in his sleep by opposing Venetian armies. Isabella immediately installed herself as Chief of State in Mantua and took control of the disorganized troops, ordering them to keep their ground, no matter what the costs. Eventually, Isabella forced the Venetians back from the borders of Mantua, and then negotiated with them successfully for her husband’s life.
Shortly afterward, Francesco, no doubt peeved at having a woman rescue him, greatly diminished her powers and gave her a cold shoulder. Determined not to be undone and live the rest of her life in quiet, domestic submissiveness, Isabella traveled to Rome, we she was warmly welcomed. After Francesco died, Isabella quickly reinstated herself in the government as a regent for her son, Frederigo, until he was of age to rule (From this position, Isabella effectively was the ruler, and used her son as a mouthpiece to command with).
Following his father’s example, Isabella’s beloved son quickly grew tired of his mother’s political activeness and jumped at the chance to displace her. Retired to the role of an elderly woman, Isabella resumed her travels to Rome. During one of her stays, German mercenaries and Lutheran gangs invaded and pillaged Rome. Secure in her home there, Isabella offered shelter to anyone in danger and shared her meager supplies with all those in need. Meanwhile, Frederigo proved himself a sorry ruler, and begged for his mother to return and guide him in ruling. After assuring the well-being of her lodgers in Rome, she returned to Mantua in state.
Isabella’s wit greatly benefited Mantua. Using her great leadership and political talents, she maintained the delicate balance between the rivaling Italian states and dealt swiftly with invaders and other enemies from afar. Isabella always spoke her mind, and often conversed through mail and speech with the great minds of the day. Isabella’s letters, numbering more than 2000, commenting on everything from war to government and state affairs, came the closest to a woman writing history in that time.
Under Isabella, the arts flourished. A patron of great influence, Isabella always had her home filled to the brim with artists, painters, sculptors, musicians and writers of all kinds. Isabella encouraged new ideas and techniques, and was the patron of many artisans. Owning many paintings and sculptures herself, Isabella always created a cultured, intelligent aura wherever she went. An especially poignant sample of her work was the small parcel of land in Romagna called Solarolo. Solarolo was a tiny patch of land that buoyed Isabella’s spirits during the many times in her life barren of joy. Solarolo was known for miles around as a center for learning and new ideas, and is still famous today for it’s large collection of artwork. At the age of sixty-five in the year 1539, Isabella died, having led a full, prosperous life.
Isabella d’Este was a remarkable woman well ahead of her time with a brilliant open mind and a well-rounded artistic flair. A patron of huge influence, Isabella d’Este allowed and encouraged creativity and new thought. With kindness and bravery as well as level-headed thinking, Isabella protected and improved the lives of those around her, and greatly contributed to society, both then and now.
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