Gonzaga

Gonzaga , Italian princely house that ruled Mantua (1328-1708), Montferrat (1536-1708), and Guastalla (1539-1746). The family name is derived from the castle of Gonzaga, a village near Mantua. Luigi Gonzaga, 1267-1360, became captain general of Mantua in 1328. The power of his descendants grew in the 14th cent., and in 1433, Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund made Gian Francesco Gonzaga, 1395-1444, marquis of Mantua. His grandson, Francesco Gonzaga, 1466-1519, married Isabella d' Este . At the outset of the Italian Wars , in which Spain and France vied for control of Italy, he led the allied troops that defeated (1495) King Charles VIII of France at Fornovo. In order to preserve the independence of Mantua, Francesco fought in turn for Venice, for the French, and for Pope Julius II. The court of Mantua, long a center of the arts and letters, was particularly brilliant under Francesco and Isabella. Their son and successor, Federico or Federigo Gonzaga, 1500-1540, was made (1530) duke of Mantua by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. In 1536 he acquired Montferrat, which continued to be claimed by Savoy. His brother Ercole Gonzaga, 1505-63, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, was long regent of the duchy. He furthered learning and the arts and presided (1562-63) over the Council of Trent. A younger brother, Ferrante Gonzaga, 1507-57, was generalissimo of Charles V in Italy, France, and Flanders. He acquired (1539) the county of Guastalla, which remained with his direct descendants until their extinction in 1746; in 1748 it was annexed to the duchy of Parma. In 1627 the senior male line of the older branch, ruling Mantua and Montferrat, became extinct. A cadet line, established in France, had succeeded, by marriage, to the duchies of Nevers or Nivernais and Rethel and in 1627 began to claim the succession to Mantua and Montferrat, which were strategically located on the Lombard plain near the Alpine passes. Its claim was strengthened by the marriage of Maria Gonzaga, sole heiress of the senior line, to Charles de Rethel, son of the duke of Nevers. France supported the Nevers branch, while Hapsburg Spain and Austria, anxious lest France gain a foothold in N Italy, supported the claims of the Guastalla branch. War between France and Spain broke out over the contested succession. The Nevers branch ultimately won with the signing of the Treaty of Cherasco (1631) and ruled Mantua and Montferrat until it in turn became extinct (1708) during the War of the Spanish Succession. Hapsburg Austria then annexed Mantua, and Savoy annexed Montferrat.

Bibliography: See S. J. C. Brinton, The Gonzaga (1927).

Gonzaga. Italian family, rulers of Mantua from 1328 to 1707, who at various times attracted to their court some of the greatest Italian and other European artists. Under Ludovico (1412–78; reigned from 1444) Mantegna was appointed court painter and Alberti began the church of S. Andrea. The presence of Isabella d'Este, who married Francesco II in 1490, helped to make Mantua one of the greatest centres of art collecting and patronage. Under Federico II (1500–40; reigned from 1519) Giulio Romano built and decorated the Gonzaga pleasure house, the Palazzo del Tè, and turned Mantua into one of the main centres of Mannerist art. The other artists who worked for Federico included Correggio, who painted a celebrated series of mythological pictures for him. Vincenzo I (1562–1612; reigned from 1587) was one of the greatest collectors of his day and Rubens's chief patron during his years in Italy. Ferdinando (1587–1626; reigned from 1612) employed van Dyck, Domenico Feti, Albani, and other artists. In 1627 most of the family collections were sold by Vincenzo II (1594–1627; reigned from 1626), principally to Charles I of England (see Royal Collection), and important Gonzaga patronage came to an end after Mantua was sacked by Austrian troops in 1630.

Gonzaga. Italian family, rulers of Mantua from 1328 to 1707, who at several different periods attracted to their court some of the greatest Italian and other European artists. Under Ludovico (1412–78; reigned from 1444) Mantegna was appointed court painter and Alberti began the church of S. Andrea. The presence of Isabella d'Este, who married Francesco II in 1490, helped to make Mantua one of the greatest centres of art collecting and patronage. Under Federico II (1500–40; reigned from 1519) Giulio Romano built and decorated the Gonzaga pleasure house, the Palazzo del Tè, and turned Mantua into one of the main centres of Mannerist art. Vincenzo I (1562–1612; reigned from 1587) was one of the greatest collectors of his day and Rubens's chief patron during his years in Italy. Ferdinando (1587–26; reigned from 1612) employed van Dyck, Domenico Feti, Francesco Albani, and other artists. Most of the family collections were sold by Vincenzo II in 1627, principally to Charles I of England, and important Gonzaga patronage came to an end after Mantua was sacked by Austrian troops in 1630.