Federico II Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua
Federico II Gonzaga ( born May 17, 1500 Mantua, † June 28, 1540 in Marmirolo ) was the son of the Marquis Gianfrancesco II Gonzaga of Mantua and since 1519 its successor, initially under the regency of his mother Isabella d' Este. 1530 he was appointed by the Emperor Charles V. to the Duke.
Federico was married since 1517 named after Maria Paleologa. After her death in 1531 he married on November 16, 1531 her sister Marghareta of Montferrat (* August 11, 1510, † December 28, 1556 ), the daughter of Margrave Wilhelm XI. This marriage policy secured him the dominion over the Margraviate of Montferrat, in which he was recognized by Emperor Charles V in 1536 ( as Duke ).
Federico II Gonzaga is the owner of the Palazzo del Te, has begun its creation by Giulio Romano about 1525. The large, richly decorated complex of buildings should Federico and his lover Isabella Boschetti - a niece of the great statesman, diplomat Baldassare Castiglione and writers - have served as a residence.
Federico and Marghareta had seven children:
- Francesco III. Gonzaga (1522-1550) Duke of Mantua and Montferrat since 1540 ∞ 1549 Catherine of Austria ( 1533-1572 ), daughter of the Emperor Ferdinand I..
- Eleonora Gonzaga, nun
- Anna Gonzaga, nun
- Isabella Gonzaga (* April 18, 1537; † August 16, 1579; ∞ 1554 Franz Ferdinand of Avalos )
- Guglielmo Gonzaga (1538-1587) Duke of Mantua and Montferrat since 1550 ∞ 1561 Eleanor of Austria ( 1534-1594 ), daughter of the Emperor Ferdinand I.
- Luigi Gonzaga (1539-1595) Duke of Nevers and Rethel 1565 ∞ 1565 Henriette of Cleves ( 1542-1601 ), daughter of Duke Francis I of Cleves - Nevers
- Federico Gonzaga (* 1540, † February 21, 1565 ), Bishop of Mantua, 1563 Cardinal
From the extramarital relationship with Isabella Boschetti was Federico II Gonzaga a son and a daughter:
- Alessandro Cauzzi Gonzaga (* 1520, † 1580). This was the State Council of the Duke of Mantua, his nephew - and was in military service of the house of Austria in Flanders.
- Emilia Cauzzi Gonzaga (* 1524, † 1573) was married to the Condottiere Carlo Gonzaga (* 1523, † 1555). This was the first Marchese ( Marquis ) of Gazzuolo, Conte ( Count ) of San Martino, Lord of Dosolo and Commessaggio (all in the province of Mantua in Lombardy ) Emilia Cauzzi Gonzaga since 1530 had numerous children, through which the offspring spread of Federico Gonzaga and Isabella Boschetti on many families ..
1510 Federico was given at the age of 10 years in exchange for his father ( caught in Venice) as a hostage to Rome. The time in Rome shaped his later artistic patronage ( Giulio Romano, Titian, etc.).