DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0429
ISABELLA’S PRAISE
385
by way of Ferrara, and commend myself ever to you,
together with my daughters, who are indeed also
yours, since you have married them so much to our
satisfaction.”1
Lucrezia, it must be explained, had a large family
of daughters, whom Isabella treated with great kind-
ness during the years of their exile at Mantua, and
one of whom, Camilla, married Pirro Gonzaga of
Gazzuolo, the youngest son of Antonia del Balzo, and
who, as well as her cousin Violante, is often men-
tioned in Bandello’s novels.
On the 6th of November, Francia’s picture
was sent to Ferrara by boat, and the painter
himself addressed the following letter to the
Marchesa:—
“Most illustrious Madonna,—We send the por-
trait of Your Highness, which we have done as well
as we could with the help of our M. Lucrecia
Bentivoglio’s counsel, and if it is not as perfect
as it ought to be, you must graciously pardon the
painter, who places himself at your pleasure and
service. Nec plura ; vale et vivas felix.—Francia,
aurifex”2
On the 25th of November, the portrait had reached
Mantua, and Isabella lost no time in expressing her
satisfaction with Francia’s work.
“ To the most excellent painter, Francia. Maestro
Francia,—I have received your portrait, and every one
who has seen it can tell that the work is by your hand,
because of its great excellence. I am exceedingly
obliged to you for giving me so much pleasure. You
have indeed made us far more beautiful by your art
1 A. Luzio, op. cit., p. 429.
2 Yriarte, op. cit.
VOL. I.
2 B
385
by way of Ferrara, and commend myself ever to you,
together with my daughters, who are indeed also
yours, since you have married them so much to our
satisfaction.”1
Lucrezia, it must be explained, had a large family
of daughters, whom Isabella treated with great kind-
ness during the years of their exile at Mantua, and
one of whom, Camilla, married Pirro Gonzaga of
Gazzuolo, the youngest son of Antonia del Balzo, and
who, as well as her cousin Violante, is often men-
tioned in Bandello’s novels.
On the 6th of November, Francia’s picture
was sent to Ferrara by boat, and the painter
himself addressed the following letter to the
Marchesa:—
“Most illustrious Madonna,—We send the por-
trait of Your Highness, which we have done as well
as we could with the help of our M. Lucrecia
Bentivoglio’s counsel, and if it is not as perfect
as it ought to be, you must graciously pardon the
painter, who places himself at your pleasure and
service. Nec plura ; vale et vivas felix.—Francia,
aurifex”2
On the 25th of November, the portrait had reached
Mantua, and Isabella lost no time in expressing her
satisfaction with Francia’s work.
“ To the most excellent painter, Francia. Maestro
Francia,—I have received your portrait, and every one
who has seen it can tell that the work is by your hand,
because of its great excellence. I am exceedingly
obliged to you for giving me so much pleasure. You
have indeed made us far more beautiful by your art
1 A. Luzio, op. cit., p. 429.
2 Yriarte, op. cit.
VOL. I.
2 B