DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42863#0374
CHAPTER XLI
1531—1536
Isabella at Venice—Death of Margherita Cantelma—Marriage of
Ferrante Gonzaga—Duchess Margherita Paleologa—Ariosto
and Bernardo Tasso send the Marchesa their poems—Visit of
the Emperor Charles V. to Mantua—Marriage and death of
the Marquis of Monferrato—His State annexed to Mantua—
Birth of a son to Duke Federico—Titian paints Isabella’s
portrait from the original by Francia.
The marriage of her eldest son was the last occasion
on which Isabella took any active part in public
affairs. Her vigorous frame began to show signs
of decay, and she became slowly conscious of
advancing age. In August 1531, she made her will,1
and in the following spring, besides taking her usual
trip to Venice, visited the baths of Albano for the good
of her health. On the 22nd of May, the Marchesa
lost one of her oldest friends, Margherita, the widow
of Sigismondo Cantelmo, Duke of Sora, who had
spent the last years of her life at Mantua. This
lady bequeathed a considerable fortune to Isabella,
begging her to found a convent of canonesses
for the help of poor ladies of rank, and to erect a
monument in memory of Sigismondo and his sons in
the church of S. Maria della Presentazione.2 Both
of Margherita’s last wishes were faithfully carried
out, and the imposing tomb of the Cantelmi, which
1 Luzio e Renier, Mantova, p. 282.
2 D’ Arco, Notizie d’Isabella, p. 221.
344
1531—1536
Isabella at Venice—Death of Margherita Cantelma—Marriage of
Ferrante Gonzaga—Duchess Margherita Paleologa—Ariosto
and Bernardo Tasso send the Marchesa their poems—Visit of
the Emperor Charles V. to Mantua—Marriage and death of
the Marquis of Monferrato—His State annexed to Mantua—
Birth of a son to Duke Federico—Titian paints Isabella’s
portrait from the original by Francia.
The marriage of her eldest son was the last occasion
on which Isabella took any active part in public
affairs. Her vigorous frame began to show signs
of decay, and she became slowly conscious of
advancing age. In August 1531, she made her will,1
and in the following spring, besides taking her usual
trip to Venice, visited the baths of Albano for the good
of her health. On the 22nd of May, the Marchesa
lost one of her oldest friends, Margherita, the widow
of Sigismondo Cantelmo, Duke of Sora, who had
spent the last years of her life at Mantua. This
lady bequeathed a considerable fortune to Isabella,
begging her to found a convent of canonesses
for the help of poor ladies of rank, and to erect a
monument in memory of Sigismondo and his sons in
the church of S. Maria della Presentazione.2 Both
of Margherita’s last wishes were faithfully carried
out, and the imposing tomb of the Cantelmi, which
1 Luzio e Renier, Mantova, p. 282.
2 D’ Arco, Notizie d’Isabella, p. 221.
344