DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42863#0021
ISABELLA D’ESTE
CHAPTER XXI
1502—1512
Cristoforo Romano’s letters—Caradosso’s cup and inkstand—Cristo-
foro in Rome—The Cupid of Praxiteles acquired for Isabella’s
studio—Cristoforo at Naples—Isabella’s medal shown to the
Queens—Cristoforo’s love for Urbino—His death at Loreto
—Sabba da Castiglione, Knight Templar—Sabba in Rhodes
—His passion for antiques and letters to Isabella—Travels in
the Isles of Greece—Antique marbles and medals sent to
Mantua—He returns to Italy and writes his memoirs.
Chief among the artists in Isabella’s service who
were constantly helping her to acquire new treasures
for her studio was the sculptor Cristoforo Romano.
The incurable malady from which he suffered hindered
his own work and obliged him to seek frequent change
of air, but wherever he went he never forgot the
interests of his mistress, and his letters from Milan,
Bologna, and Rome abound in allusions to the antique
marbles and richly worked cups, gems, and medals
which he advised her to buy. In February 1502 we find
him at Venice enjoying the company of his friends
Michele Vianello and Lorenzo da Pavia. On his return
to Mantua he fell dangerously ill, and in August
Isabella’s friend, Margherita Cantelma, invited the
Marchesa to send him to Ferrara to consult a clever
physician, Messer Sebastiano d’Aquila, who had cured
VOL. II. A
CHAPTER XXI
1502—1512
Cristoforo Romano’s letters—Caradosso’s cup and inkstand—Cristo-
foro in Rome—The Cupid of Praxiteles acquired for Isabella’s
studio—Cristoforo at Naples—Isabella’s medal shown to the
Queens—Cristoforo’s love for Urbino—His death at Loreto
—Sabba da Castiglione, Knight Templar—Sabba in Rhodes
—His passion for antiques and letters to Isabella—Travels in
the Isles of Greece—Antique marbles and medals sent to
Mantua—He returns to Italy and writes his memoirs.
Chief among the artists in Isabella’s service who
were constantly helping her to acquire new treasures
for her studio was the sculptor Cristoforo Romano.
The incurable malady from which he suffered hindered
his own work and obliged him to seek frequent change
of air, but wherever he went he never forgot the
interests of his mistress, and his letters from Milan,
Bologna, and Rome abound in allusions to the antique
marbles and richly worked cups, gems, and medals
which he advised her to buy. In February 1502 we find
him at Venice enjoying the company of his friends
Michele Vianello and Lorenzo da Pavia. On his return
to Mantua he fell dangerously ill, and in August
Isabella’s friend, Margherita Cantelma, invited the
Marchesa to send him to Ferrara to consult a clever
physician, Messer Sebastiano d’Aquila, who had cured
VOL. II. A