DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0034
6
LEONORA’S MADONNA
suddenly well. But when I heard that if I were
still suffering from illness Your Highness thought
of coming to Modena, to see me, I almost wished
myself ill again, if only to have the pleasure of
seeing you.”1
A year later the Marquis Federico died, and Isabella
wrote to condole with Francesco on his father’s death,
begging him to dry his tears and take comfort for her
sake. The new Marquis from the first showed him-
self an ardent lover, and neglected no opportunity of
paying attention to his bride’s family. Hearing that
the Duchess of Ferrara was anxious to possess a cer-
tain Madonna by the hand of Andrea Mantegna, the
loyal servant and court-painter of the Gonzagas, he
wrote to that master on the 6th of November 1485,
enclosing Leonora’s letter, and begging him to comply
with her request.
“ Carissime noster. Our most illustrious Madonna
the Duchess of Ferrara, as you will see by the letters
which we enclose in order that you may the better
understand her wishes, is very anxious to have a
certain picture by your hand. We trust that you
will satisfy this lady, and use the utmost diligence to
finish the said picture, and beg of you to put forth
all your powers, as we feel sure you will do, and that
as quickly as possible, since we are most desirous to
gratify the said illustrious Madonna.” Gdito, Nov. 6,
1485.
On the same day Francesco wrote to his future
mother-in-law:—
“ Hearing that Your Excellency desires to have a
picture of the Madonna with some other figures that
is still unfinished by the hand of Andrea Mantegna,
1 A. Luzio, I Precettori d’ Isabella d’Este, p. 13.
LEONORA’S MADONNA
suddenly well. But when I heard that if I were
still suffering from illness Your Highness thought
of coming to Modena, to see me, I almost wished
myself ill again, if only to have the pleasure of
seeing you.”1
A year later the Marquis Federico died, and Isabella
wrote to condole with Francesco on his father’s death,
begging him to dry his tears and take comfort for her
sake. The new Marquis from the first showed him-
self an ardent lover, and neglected no opportunity of
paying attention to his bride’s family. Hearing that
the Duchess of Ferrara was anxious to possess a cer-
tain Madonna by the hand of Andrea Mantegna, the
loyal servant and court-painter of the Gonzagas, he
wrote to that master on the 6th of November 1485,
enclosing Leonora’s letter, and begging him to comply
with her request.
“ Carissime noster. Our most illustrious Madonna
the Duchess of Ferrara, as you will see by the letters
which we enclose in order that you may the better
understand her wishes, is very anxious to have a
certain picture by your hand. We trust that you
will satisfy this lady, and use the utmost diligence to
finish the said picture, and beg of you to put forth
all your powers, as we feel sure you will do, and that
as quickly as possible, since we are most desirous to
gratify the said illustrious Madonna.” Gdito, Nov. 6,
1485.
On the same day Francesco wrote to his future
mother-in-law:—
“ Hearing that Your Excellency desires to have a
picture of the Madonna with some other figures that
is still unfinished by the hand of Andrea Mantegna,
1 A. Luzio, I Precettori d’ Isabella d’Este, p. 13.