Este, Beatrice d' (1475–1497)
Este, Beatrice d' (1475–1497)
Duchess of Milan. Name variations: Bianca or Beatrice Sforza; Beatriz; Bice; Duchess of Bari. Born June 29, 1475, in Ferrara, Italy; died in childbirth, Jan 2, 1497, in Milan, Italy; dau. of Ercole I d'Este (1431–1505), 2nd duke of Ferrara and Modena, and Leonora of Aragon (1450–1493); sister of Isabella d'Este (1474–1539) and Alfonso I (1476–1534), 3rd duke of Ferrara, who m. Lucrezia Borgia; m. Louis also known as Ludovico or Lodovico il Moro Sforza (1451–1508), duke of Milan (r. 1479–1500), Jan 17, 1491; daughter-in-law of Bianca Maria Visconti (1423–1470); children: Ercole, duke of Milan (b. 1493, called Maximilian); Francesco Maria (b. 1495), duke of Milan (r. 1521–1535).
Famed for her patronage of artists during the Italian Renaissance; moved to Naples (1477); betrothed (1480); returned to Ferrara (1485); became a trusted companion and political associate of husband; established court at Milan (1491); became duchess of Milan (1494); one of Europe's most admired women, began developing a keen interest in the patronage of up-and-coming painters, sculptors, and poets (1495), who were rewarded handsomely if their work pleased her; corresponded regularly with sister.
See also Julia Cartwright, Beatrice D'Este, Duchess of Milan: A Study of the Renaissance (Dent, 1899); and Women in World History.