Federigo Da Montefeltro, Political and Cultural Architect
1986; University of California; Volume: 17; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
1557-0290
Autores Tópico(s)Renaissance and Early Modern Studies
ResumoF E D E R I G O DA M O N T E F E L T R O , POLITICAL AND CULTURAL A R C H I T E C T Suzanne Branciforte Geographically, politically and economically, the Quattrocento city-state of Urbino provided Federigo da Montefeltro with an almost ideal setting for a Renaissance Prince. Situated high on rugged, hilly terrain, the walls of Urbino were practically impregnable. Politically, there were few states to threaten Urbino: its larger counterparts like Florence, Milan and Venice were occupied with defending their own borders and in the intricate web of papal and state politics. They did not have time to consider uprising a smaller state like Urbino, where the financial and military investment was not worth the gain. Urbino's only potential menace came from nearby coastal Rimini, which may have hoped to increase its territorial holdings on the interior. Economically, the potential gain in acquiring a city-state like Urbino was minimal; it had little to offer in the way of agricultural riches or land suitable for development. Thus, Urbino remained in the hands of the Montefeltro, thanks to Federigo, who managed to bring it prosperity and a sizeable income by cleverly operating in the role of condottiere. In addition to this favorable set of circumstances, Federigo. who personified the ideal Renaissance prince, was particularly suited to make Urbino the ideal Renaissance court. Federigo's education epitomized humanistic training; he was sent to study at the Casa Giocosa in Mantua under the direction of the famed Gonzaga family tutor. Vittorino da Rambaldoni da Feltre. Although Federigo was the bastard son of Guidantonio he was legitimized and accorded all the privileges of Guidantonio's true heirs. In this environ ment, Federigo learned the severity of discipline, a trait which characterized his behavior throughout his life. Simultaneously, the children were taught the values of relaxation and healthy physical exercise which accompanied mental exercise; horseback riding and fencing comprised their balanced education. Music and drawing rounded out the program, which was the model education for this elite group. Likewise, while Federigo was held hostage at Venice (an 8- year-old pawn in a papal ploy), he was a member of the calze, a fashionable
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