Isabella d'Este, Marchioness of Mantua and cousin of Isabella of Aragon, c. 1500
The drawing is misleading with regards to the colour of the Marchioness' hair: According to her contemporary Mario Equicola Isabella d'Este had fair hair and white skin. Her comtemporary Trissino described her "rippling golden hair that flowed in thick masses over her shoulders." Please have a look at the pictures below!
Born on:
18. May 1474
Deceased on:
13. February 1539
Father:
Ercole I. (1431-1505), Duke of Ferrara, Reggio and Modena
Mother:
Leonora (or Eleonora) of Aragon (1450-1493), daughter of King Ferrante of Naples († 1494)
Spouse:
Gian Francesco II. Gonzaga (1466-1519), Margrave of Mantua
Children:
- her daughter Leonora or Eleonora, born on 31. December 1493, deceased in 1550; on 2. March 1505 she became married to Francesco Maria della Rovere (1490-1538), Duke of Urbino
- her daughter Margherita, born on 13. July 1496, deceased on 23. September 1496
- her son Federigo II., Margrave of Mantua of 1519-1531; Duke of Mantua 1531-1540; born on 17. May 1500, deceased on 28. June 1540
- her daughter Livia, born in 1501, deceased in January 1508
- her daughter Ippolita, born in 1503, deceased in 1580, since 1511 nun in the Dominican Convent of St. Vincent
- her son Ercole (in actual fact: Louis or Alvise), born in November 1505, deceased in 1565, Cardinal since 1527
- her son Ferrante, Duke of Guastalla, born in January 1507, deceased in 1557; in April 1531 he married the rich Neapolitan heiress Isabella of Capua, a daughter of the Duke of Tremoli
- her daughter Livia, born in 1508, deceased in 1569, since 1516 nun in a Franciscan convent, as Sister Paola she was highly regarded by the citizens of Mantua
More Images:
Reading Suggestion:
- Maike Vogt-Luerssen: Women in the Renaissance – 30 Biographies. (in German) Norderstedt 2007 (Biography about Isabella d'Este with 17 figures, pp. 98-119)