Details
ESTE, Isabella d' (1474 - 1539). Letter, written and signed in her name ('Excellentiae Vestrae Coniunx Isabella cum iusta commendatione') to her husband, Francesco Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua, Mantua, 20 April 1501, expressing her satisfaction at the loyal defence of their lord by the people of Faenza, who are retrieving the honour of Italy, 'Piacemi che Faentini siano tanto felici et constanti alla defensione del suo signore, che recuperano l'honore de' Italiani';
she hopes that God will encourage them to persevere, not because she wishes ill to Duke Valentino [i.e. Cesare Borgia] but because the unfortunate lord and his people do not deserve to be ruined; thanking Francesco for sending news of the first battle, and enclosing a similiar account by Carlo da Sesso which she has opened, 12 lines written on one page, 305 x 210 mm, addressed on verso, 'Illustrissimo principi et excellentiae domino consorti et domino meo observantissimo domino marchioni Mantuae etc', papered seal (3 small holes including one touching date 'Aprilis', slight wear in lower margin).
The letter refers to the campaign of Cesare Borgia in the Romagna which, as the cities of Imola, Forlì, Pesaro and Rimini fell to him, appeared to threaten the Gonzagas at Mantua. Francesco Gonzaga, currently engaged as commander of the Venetian army against the French at Naples, had sent aid to Faenza, gallantly defended by Astorre Manfredi. Nonetheless, Faenza fell five days after the present letter was written. While the Gonzagas and the Borgias had taken steps to initiate friendly relations in the mid-15th century, Isabella was kept informed by her numerous correspondents at Rome and Bologna of Cesare Borgia's iniquities. Her brother Alfonso, duke of Ferrara, was married to Lucrezia Borgia in 1501.
Published in D'Arco, C. 'Notizie di Isabella Estense moglie a Francesco Gonzaga' in Archivio storico italiano, series I, appendix II, 1846, page 247
she hopes that God will encourage them to persevere, not because she wishes ill to Duke Valentino [i.e. Cesare Borgia] but because the unfortunate lord and his people do not deserve to be ruined; thanking Francesco for sending news of the first battle, and enclosing a similiar account by Carlo da Sesso which she has opened, 12 lines written on one page, 305 x 210 mm, addressed on verso, 'Illustrissimo principi et excellentiae domino consorti et domino meo observantissimo domino marchioni Mantuae etc', papered seal (3 small holes including one touching date 'Aprilis', slight wear in lower margin).
The letter refers to the campaign of Cesare Borgia in the Romagna which, as the cities of Imola, Forlì, Pesaro and Rimini fell to him, appeared to threaten the Gonzagas at Mantua. Francesco Gonzaga, currently engaged as commander of the Venetian army against the French at Naples, had sent aid to Faenza, gallantly defended by Astorre Manfredi. Nonetheless, Faenza fell five days after the present letter was written. While the Gonzagas and the Borgias had taken steps to initiate friendly relations in the mid-15th century, Isabella was kept informed by her numerous correspondents at Rome and Bologna of Cesare Borgia's iniquities. Her brother Alfonso, duke of Ferrara, was married to Lucrezia Borgia in 1501.
Published in D'Arco, C. 'Notizie di Isabella Estense moglie a Francesco Gonzaga' in Archivio storico italiano, series I, appendix II, 1846, page 247
Sale room notice
The illustration for lot 161 (letter by Isabella d'Este) is on page 88.