Montefeltro

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Montefeltro. Italian noble family that ruled Urbino from 1234 with short intervals until 1508, when the line became extinct. For most of this period Urbino was of only local importance, but under Federico II da Montefeltro (1422–82; ruled from 1444) the city had a brief golden age as one of the most important centres of Renaissance culture. Federico fulfilled the ideal of the Renaissance prince, for he was a brave soldier and a humane ruler as well as an enlightened patron of literature and the arts. His library was the finest in Italy and his palace is one of the most beautiful buildings of the Renaissance. For us he chiefly survives—broken nose, warts, and all—in the famous portrait (Uffizi, Florence) by Piero della Francesca, who was one of the leading lights of his court. Federico's ideals lived on in his son Guidobaldo (1472–1508), whose court is commemorated in Castiglione's famous book The Courtier (1528). Guidobaldo was deposed by Cesare Borgia in 1502, but recovered Urbino the following year. When he died childless in 1508, the dukedom passed to his nephew Francesco Maria I della Rovere.

Montefeltro. Italian noble family that ruled Urbino from 1234 with short intervals until 1508, when the line became extinct. For most of this period Urbino was of only local importance, but under Federico da Montefeltro (1422–82; ruled from 1444) the city had a brief golden age as one of the most important centres of Renaissance culture. Federico fulfilled the ideal of the Renaissance prince, for he was a brave soldier and a humane ruler as well as an enlightened patron of literature and the arts. His library was the finest in Italy and his palace is one of the most beautiful buildings of the Renaissance. For us he chiefly survives—broken nose, warts, and all—in the famous portrait (Uffizi, Florence) by Piero della Francesca, who was one of the leading lights of his court. Federico's ideals lived on in his son Guidobaldo (1472–1508), whose court is commemorated in Castiglione's famous book The Courtier (1528). Guidobaldo was deposed by Cesare Borgia in 1502, but recovered Urbino the following year. When he died childless in 1508, the dukedom passed to his nephew Francesco Maria I della Rovere.

Montefeltro , Italian noble family. Its members were noted patrons of art and traditionally opposed the papacy in the struggle between Guelphs and Ghibellines . The county of Montefeltro (created c.1154) included parts of Romagna, the Marches, and San Marino. Oddantonio Montefeltro (d. 1444) was the first Montefeltro duke of Urbino. His successor, Federico da Montefeltro, 1422–82, was prominent in Italian politics and gathered an outstanding art collection. His portrait (Uffizi Gall.) was painted by Piero della Francesca. Federico's son, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, 1472–1508, lost and regained (1502–3) the duchy from Cesare Borgia. Guidobaldo's court was a center of Renaissance culture, and he provided the model for The Courtier of Baldassare Castiglione .