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Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume 2 (of 3) / Illustrating the Arms, Arts, and Literature of Italy, from 1440 To 1630. cover

Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume 2 (of 3) / Illustrating the Arms, Arts, and Literature of Italy, from 1440 To 1630.

Chapter 18: CHAPTER XXVIII
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About This Book

The work traces the political vicissitudes of the Urbino dukes, recounting violent episodes, shifts in papal influence, restorations, and dynastic succession while portraying courtly manners and social life. It then offers a sustained cultural survey of Renaissance letters and arts at Urbino, considering classical tastes, humanist patronage, poetry, local literary figures, and the rise of painting schools and notable artists and architects. Discussions address changing artistic styles, portraiture, medals, and the role of princely patronage, and the volume closes by following the della Rovere family's ascent and the military and political career of Francesco Maria, supplemented by documentary appendices and illustrations.

CHAPTER XXVI

  Mediæval art almost exclusively religious157
  The introduction of types and traditionary forms157
  A picture by Botticelli denounced as heretical (note)158
  The choice and treatment of sacred themes159
  Modified by the personal character of artists160
  Instances of this161
  Devotional feeling of early painters161
  Shown in the rules of their guilds at Siena and Florence162
  Case of Giorgio Vasari163
  The gloomy character of Spanish art163
  The subject to be considered apart from sectarian views164
  Christian art modified in the fifteenth century166
  Gradual innovation of naturalism167
  Followed by paganism and classicism168
  Rise of the "new manner"169
  Religious prudery in Spain fatal to art170
  Von Rumohr's definition of Christian art170
  Opinions prevailing in England171
  Hogarth and Savonarola172
  Burnet and Barry172
  Reynolds and Raffaele172
  Obstacles to a due appreciation of this subject among us173
  Mr. Ruskin and Lord Lindsay174
  Sir David Wilkie175
  It does not necessarily lead to popery175
  Nor is it a desirable "groundwork for a new style of art"176
  St. Francis of Assisi, his legends and shrine177
  Their influence renders Umbria the cradle of sacred art178
  Opinions of Rio, Boni, and Herbert Seymour179

CHAPTER XXVII

  The Umbrian school hitherto overlooked184
  The cathedral of Orvieto and the sanctuary of Assisi attract many artists185
  The dramatic or Dantesque character of Florentine painting186
  Sentimental devotion of the Sienese school187
  Influence of these on Umbrian painters187
-1299. Oderigi da Gubbio188
  Notice of him by Dante188
  Guido Palmerucci of Gubbio189
  Angioletto, a glass-painter of Gubbio190
1375-1444. Ottaviano Nelli of Gubbio and his pupils190
1434.June 30.His letter to Caterina, Countess of Urbino192
  Allegretto Nuzi of Fabriano193
1370-14. Gentile da Fabriano; he studies under193
1383-14. Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, the Beato Angelico194
 A friar of holy life and pencil194
 Gentile called "master of the masters"196
1370-14. His works studied by Raffaele196
 Goes to Venice197
 His taste for gaudy trappings197
  Benedetto Bonfigli of Perugia199
1446-1524. Pietro Perugino199
  Painters in Urbino200
-1478. Piero della Francesca of Borgo San Sepolcro201
 His history obscure201
 His two distinct manners202
 His knowledge of geometry203
 His claims to the introduction of perspective203
 These examined, and those of Luca Pacioli203
 His unedited writings (note)204
 His frescoes at Arezzo and their influence on Raffaele206
 His portrait of Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta208
 His portraits of the Montefeltrian princes209
-1484. Bartolomeo Coradino, the Fra Carnevale210
  Beautiful altar-picture near Pesaro211
1423-1502. Francesco di Giorgio of Siena211
  His works in painting, architecture, and engineering212
  Letter of Duke Federigo on his behalf214
  His writings215

CHAPTER XXVIII

-1494. Giovanni Sanzi of Urbino216
  Till lately unjustly depreciated216
  His own account of himself217
  His style and works218
  His portrait of his son, the divine Raffaele218
1483.Apr. 6.Birth of Raffaele Sanzio of Urbino, surnamed "the Divine"220
  Notice of his biographers220
  His appearance happily timed221
  First pictorial influences on his mind222
1495. He goes to the school of Perugino223
1500-1504. His earliest independent works at Città di Castello225
 Returns to paint at Perugia226
 Visits Siena and Florence226
 Returns to paint at Urbino227
 His second visit to Florence227
 With a recommendation from Joanna della Rovere228
1504-1505. His works, patrons, and associates there228
1505-1507. Again painting at Perugia230
1505-1507. His intercourse with Francia231
1503-1508. And with the polished court of Urbino231
 Works commissioned of him there232
 His recently discovered fresco at Florence234

CHAPTER XXIX

1508. He is called to Rome by Julius II.235
 And employed to paint in the Stanze236
1508-1513. His plan for the frescoes there detailed and examined236
1513.Feb. 21.Death of Julius II.239
1513-1520. Raffaele's powers overtaxed240
 He gradually falls into "the new manner"241
 The charge against him of a vicious life unfounded241
 Question how far he imitated others242
 Especially Michael Angelo243
 No parallel between them244
 His diminished intercourse with Urbino246
1520.Apr. 6.His sudden death and funeral247
 His intended marriage and cardinal's hat249
 His varied gifts250
 Testimonies to his merits250
 His sense of beauty251
 Purity of his taste252

CHAPTER XXX

1470-1523. Timoteo Viti254
  His picture of questioned orthodoxy256
1444-1514. Donato Bramante259
  Confusion regarding him259
  His works at Urbino261
  Commences St. Peter's, at Rome262
  Builds at the Vatican263
  Fra Bernardo Catelani264
  Crocchia of Urbino265
1450-1517. Francesco Francia265
1430-1506. Andrea Mantegna265
1424-1514. Giovanni Bellini266
1446-1523. Pietro Perugino266
1386-1445. Jean van Eyck266
1474. Justus of Ghent267
  Italian portrait medallions269
1468. Clemente of Urbino270
  Medals of Duke Federigo270
  Medal of Duchess Elisabetta272
  Medal of Emilia Pia273

CHAPTER XXXI

1414.July 21.Birth of Sixtus IV.277
 Origin of his family277
1414. Omens attending his birth278
1471.Aug. 9.His education and elevation to the papacy278
  Children of his father, and their descendants279
  His partiality to his nephews283
  Extravagance of Cardinal Pietro Riario284
  Hospitalities of Sixtus285
  His improvements in Rome286
  Scandals regarding him287
  His patronage of art287
  And of the Vatican Library289
  Portrait there of himself and nephews289
  Painted by Melozzo da Forlì290
  His brother Giovanni della Rovere291
1474.Oct. 12.Made vicar of Sinigaglia291
28.His marriage with Princess Giovanna of Urbino291
1475. Made Lord Prefect of Rome291
  His beneficial reign292
  His favour at the papal court293
1474. The story of Zizim or Gem293
 His ransom is seized by the Prefect294
 Curious correspondence of the Sultan with Alexander VI.295
 Description of Gem by Mantegna the painter297
1501.Nov. 6.Death of the Prefect299
  His portrait299
  His widow300
  Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere301
  His persecutions by the Borgias301
1503.Nov. 1.His election to the Tiara303
  His character and policy304
  His patronage of art306
  His improvements in Rome306
  Parallel of him with Leo X.307

CHAPTER XXXII

1490.Mar. 25.Birth of Duke Francesco Maria I.313
1501.Nov. 6.He succeeds to his father's state of Sinigaglia313
He is carried to Urbino313
1502.Apr. 24.Is made Prefect of Rome313
 His early education and tastes314
 His military propensities314
June 20.His escape from Cesare Borgia315
1502. He is received at the court of France315
1504.March.His return to Italy315
June 17.Restored at Sinigaglia316
Sep. 18.Invested as heir-apparent of Urbino316
1505.Jan.Contracted in marriage to Leonora Gonzaga316
1506. His first military service316
1507.Oct. 6.Assassinates the paramour of his sister317
1508.Apr. 14.He succeeds to the dukedom of Urbino318
His constitutional concessions319
25.His summons to his new subjects to swear allegiance319
 His judicious and conciliatory measures320
 Origin of the League of Cambray321
Dec. 10.It is signed322
The objects of this unnatural combination322
Oct. 4.Francesco Maria made captain-general of the ecclesiastical forces323
1509.May.Elected a Knight of the Garter, but not confirmed by Henry VIII.324
Dec. 24.His marriage celebrated324
  The Duchess Leonora's psalter324
April.He takes the field against Venice325
May 4.Takes Brisghella325
 Remarkable incident in his camp325
 The Pope's partiality for the Cardinal of Pavia326
 His character and intrigues against Francesco Maria327
 His treachery327
May 14.The Venetians beaten at Vaila328
June 11.Rimini capitulates, and the campaign closes329
 The Duke carries his bride to Rome329
 He reconciles the Pope to Giuliano de' Medici329
 The Pope changes sides330
 Further treachery of the Cardinal of Pavia330
1510.July.The Duke marches against Ferrara331
Sep.Julius II. takes the field331
 His suspicions of the Cardinal332
 The council of Pisa threatened332
 His indomitable resolution333

CHAPTER XXXIII

1510.Dec.His ill-judged appearance at the siege of Mirandola334
1511.May 21.The Duke's miscarriage before Bologna by the Cardinal's treachery336
The Cardinal prepossesses the Pope against his nephew338
24.And falls by his hand339
 Ill-timed badinage of Cardinal Bembo (note)339
 The Duke retires to Urbino340
June.And the Pontiff returns to Rome340
 His indignation against the Duke340
 Who is arrested, and subjected to a complicated prosecution341
 Defended by Beroaldo the younger341
 Dangerous illness of Julius342
 He is reconciled to Francesco Maria343
Dec. 9.And absolves him343
New league against the French343
1512. Hesitation of Francesco Maria344
 Consequent disgust of Julius344
Apr. 11.The field of Ravenna344
 Francesco Maria is reconciled to the Pope345
June 22.He retakes Bologna345
Aug.And reduces Reggio345
 The French abandoned by their Italian allies346
 The Duke's fruitless attempt on Ferrara347
 Restoration of the Medici at Florence347
 The Duke's feeling towards them examined347
 New projects of the Pope348
 Lapse of Pesaro to the Holy See349
Oct. 23.The town reduced by Francesco Maria349
1513.Feb. 16.He is invested with that state350
21.Death of Julius II.350
Mar. 16.The Duke's reception at Pesaro

CHAPTER XXXIV

1513. Influence of Francesco Maria in the conclave favourable to the Medici351
Mar. 11.Election of Leo. X.351
His singular good fortune352
His character contrasted with that of Julius by Sismondi352
19.Francesco Maria attends his coronation353
And is confirmed in all his dignities354
Sep.His favour for Baldassare Castiglione355
 Notice of the fief of Novilara357
1514. Ambitious projects and intrigues of Leo X., involving Urbino358
Apr. 2.Birth of Prince Guidobaldo of Urbino359
1515.Jan. 1.Bembo's visit to that court359
JuneThe Duke superseded by Leo X. in his command360
 Friendship of Giuliano de' Medici for him361
Jan. 1.Death of Louis XII., succeeded by Francis I.362
 The Pontiff's undecided policy362
Sep. 13.Battle of Marignano364
1516.Jan.Death of Ferdinand of Spain364
Mar. 17.And of Giuliano de' Medici365
Character of Lorenzo de' Medici365
Francesco Maria exposed to the fury of Leo366
Apr. 27.Sentence of deprivation against him367
Aug. 18.And his dignities conferred upon Lorenzo367
AprilIngratitude of Bembo367
  Lashed by Porrino368
May.The duchy of Urbino invaded368
31.Francesco Maria withdraws to Lombardy with his family369
The duchy surrenders to Lorenzo369
Sep.S. Leo surprised370

CHAPTER XXXV

1516.Aug. 13.The peace of Noyon372
 Attempt on his state by the Duke372
1517.Jan. 17.His manifesto373
His address to the soldiery376
Alarm of the Pontiff377
Gradara is sacked377
Feb.Partial rising in his favour377
5.Remarkable adventure of Benedetto Giraldi378
Francesco Maria enters Urbino380
 Measures adopted by Leo380
 The Duke challenges Lorenzo to a personal encounter, which is declined382
Mar. 25.Sack of Montebaroccio383
Siege of Mondolfo, where Lorenzo is wounded384
 Its sack, with many excesses385
 Cardinal Bibbiena appointed to the command as legate387
 Disorganisation of his army388
May 6.It is routed on Montebartolo388
The Duke's letter to his consort detailing the battle389