Isabella Boschetti
Isabella Boschetti (. * C 1502 † after 1542), called la bella Boschetta (the beautiful Boschetta ) was an Italian nobleman from gräflichem house and a niece of the eminent diplomat and writer Baldassare Castiglione ( born December 6, 1478 Casatico at Mantua; † February 7, 1529 in Toledo, Spain), author of the famous guide for the ideal Hofmann "Il Libro del Courtier " ( the Book of the Hofmann ). She was the muse and lover of Federico II Gonzaga (* 1500, † 1540) the Marquis and later Duke of Mantua, made him the construction of the Palazzo del Te in Mantua inspired and him - undeterred by the repeated attempts of his family to marry him and undeterred by his and her own marriage - remained until his end to love him. Through the joint ( extra-marital ) daughter, Emilia Cauzzi Gonzaga (* 1524, † 1573), she left behind a thriving through the female line to the present day descendants.
Origin
Isabella's father was Giacomo Boschetti (* 1471, † 1520 BC? ), Conte ( Count ) and Mitherr of San Cesario sul Panaro in the province of Modena, patrician of Mantua - a great-grandson of Count Alberto III. Boschetti - who as Hofmann and general in the service of the Marquis of Mantua. He was knighted in 1494 was marked on July 6, 1495 as condottieri in the Battle of Fornovo ( 30 km southeast of Parma) from where the troops of the Holy League of Venice under the command of Francesco II Gonzaga against the Neapolitan returning army of the king of France, Charles VIII won a decisive victory.
Isabella's mother was Polissena Castiglione, a daughter of Conte Palatino ( Palatine ) Cristoforo Castiglione (* 1459, 1499 ), the Signore (Lord) di Casatico and patrician of Mantua was and his wife Luigia ( Aloisia ) Gonzaga (* 1458 in Mantua, † 1542), consisting of a branch line of the Gonzaga, the line of the Gonzaga di Palazzolo, came and Isabella's father had married on February 26, 1498.
Isabella was therefore a niece of the great statesman, diplomat and writer Baldassare Castiglione, who through his work "Il Libro del Courtier " ( The Book of the Hofmann ) modeled after the discussions at the court of the Duchess of Urbino, Elisabetta Gonzaga, the ideal image of a perfect courtier had designed. This role image of the polymath, versatile, brave and elegant " uomo universale " (Universal people had - in spite of the criticism of lack of realism - for centuries as a model of idealized aristocratic world after.
Isabella's brother Francesco Boschetti (? * 1501 † ) was in 1520 by Pope Leo X (Giovanni de ' Medici, ( born December 11, 1475 Florence, † December 1, 1521 in Rome) invested with the county of San Cesario, was patrician of Modena, 1517 Governor General of Urbino, Pesaro, Fano and Senigallia, 1526 Governor General of Benevento and in the same year of Alfonso I d' Este (* 1476, † 1534, Duke of Ferrara and Modena Reggio Emilia ambassador at Pope Clement VII ( Giulio de ' Medici ), ( born May 26, 1478 Florence, Rome † September 25, 1534 ). appointed He was with Susanna Pico, an extramarital daughter of Galeotto Pico, Count von Concordia and imperial vicar Mirandola married and left descendants.
Life
Youth
Isabella Boschetti was the younger daughter of her parents, received a comprehensive education in the sense of humanism and grew up in the cultural atmosphere of the court of the Marquis of Mantua, in whose service her father stood. Just then Mantua lost its medieval appearance, because there was the culture of the Renaissance to the breakthrough. A few decades before her birth was in Mantua Leon Battista Alberti ( born February 14, 1404 Genoa, † April 25, 1472 in Rome), works which the major Swiss cultural historian Jacob Burckhardt ( born May 25, 1818 in Basel, † 8 August 1897 ibid.) in his work " the civilization of the Renaissance in Italy " (1860 ) "universal uomo " describes as the embodiment of. Alberti was there in 1460 the San Sebastiano church built in 1470 and designed the amazing Basilica of Sant'Andrea according to the proportions of Solomon's building of the temple. A little later ( 1474 ) was Andrea Mantegna (* 1431, † 1506), the most important painter of the north Italian early Renaissance Mantua, completed in the Castello di San Giorgio, Palazzo Ducale, the magnificent frescoes in the Camera degli Sposi ( Wedding Room ). These were developments that helped to shape Isabella's spirit.
An important influence on the adolescent Isabella undoubtedly exercised also her uncle Baldassare Castiglione, who lived as a diplomat in the service of the Marquis of Mantua at the court of Urbino, and in which the Dukes of Urbino, Rome worked as an envoy later. His book about the ideal Hofmann: Il Libro del Cortegiano was already famous and is now next to Ariosto (* 1474, † 1533) " Orlando Furioso " and Machiavelli's Il Principe ( 1513) the most important achievements of the Italian literature of the Renaissance. Of particular interest for Isabella was that her uncle Castiglione not only the " Hofmann " but also in detail the high standards of elegance, versatile education, to grace, wit and artistic taste of a perfect maid of honor, a "donna di palazzo " first described that Isabella could serve as a model.
Isabella was from their parents at a young age with Francesco Cauzzi Conte ( Count ) di Calvisano, a Hofmann and captain of the Marquis of Mantua married. She lived alternately in Mantua and therefore probably in Calvisano, located in the province of Brescia. There, you can still see parts of the former castle, which she inhabited.
Beginning of the relationship of Federico II Gonzaga
However, their fate should not be influenced by her husband, but by another man, namely by Federico II Gonzaga, ( born May 17, 1500 Mantua, . † June 28, 1540 in Marmirolo This came from the Italian dynasty of Gonzaga, (1484 - 1519) reigned in mantua since the 14th century, a son of Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua was, and his wife Isabella d' Este (* May 18, 1474, † February 13, 1539 ), the witty lady Salon, politician, art collector and patron of the Italian Renaissance is one of the most important women.
Between Isabella's family and Gonzaga were close relationships. Your grandmother, Luigia ( Aloisia ) Gonzaga, who himself came from a side branch of the House of Gonzaga. But Isabella thus belonged to the " extended family ". Added to this was that not only her father, but also her uncle Baldassare Castiglione was in the service of the Marquis of Mantua. Despite these correlations konne nobody imagined that it could lead to a closer relationship between her and the heirs of the Margraviate of Mantua.
The father of Federico II had big plans for his son and heir, for it was the limited power base of the Margraviate by the marriage of his son with a considerable heiress to enlarge. His choice fell on the still childlike Maria Palaiologos out of the house of the Marquis of Montferrat (* 1509, † 1530). This was the oldest daughter of Margrave Wilhelm XI. of Montferrat (* 1486, † 1518) and the Anne d' Alençon ( born October 30, 1492 † October 18, 1562 ), who was a daughter of René, Duke of Alençon from the House of Valois. Maria Palaiologos was considered a " brilliant match ," since her family in the male line descended from the emperors of Byzantium from the House of Palaiologos, the Margraviate had inherited from the older Marquis of Montferrat, which included not only the oldest families of Italy, but also one of the leading families of the Crusades were and with Konrad von Montferra († 1192 ) and Baldwin of Montferrat († 1186 ) had found two kings of Jerusalem. Still higher, their importance as a bride, however, was the fact that Mary was a possible heir to the Margraviate of Montferrat in Piedmont important because the family only had a few male representatives.
The then seventeen -year-old Federico II Gonzaga was therefore engaged to eight years of Maria Palaiologos and in 1517 signed a prenuptial agreement. The consummation of the marriage, however, was - postponed to a later date - in view of the young age of the bride.
Federico had now occasion his education at the young chivalrous king of France, Francis I (1515 - 1547) Hof refine, who saw a future in Federico allies for its expansion plans in Italy. However, the carefree stay in France was suddenly terminated by the death of his father, the Marquis Francesco II Gonzaga in 1519, because he had to return to Mantua, proceeding to take the throne as the fifth Marquis of Mantua. Given his youth - he was only 19 years old - he reigned under the guardianship of his mother Isabella d' Este Gonzaga and his uncle, Cardinal Sigismondo Gonzaga ( (* 1469, † October 4, 1525 in Mantua ), and Giovanni Gonzaga ( * 1474, † 1525), the lords of Vescovardo.
Soon after returning to Mantua Federico awakened the seventeen year old - famous for their beauty and education - Isabella Boschetti the attention of the young Marquis. It evolved from a passionate relationship, but this was not entirely unproblematic, since Isabella with Francesco Cauzzi Conte ( Count ) di Calvisano, a Hofmann and vassals of the Marquis of Mantua was married. Given the size of the passion - and the unequal power relations - to let the husband of Isabella "convince" to renounce his conjugal rights, and was for " compensated " with goods, and with the grace that he his own family name, the ruler of Mantua could add and therefore Cauzzi Gonzaga could call.
This time being kept secret relationship was not without consequences: the two from the relationship derived between Isabella and Federico Gonzaga children were therefore officially regarded as legitimate children of her husband and, therefore, received the family name Cauzzi Gonzaga.
The "marriage" with Federico Maria of Montferrat
The light-heartedness of the relationship, however, was increasingly affected by the concern Isabella that she might lose the love Federico agreed by its marriage with Maria of Montferrat. This concern was not entirely unjustified, because news of this notorious love affair did not go unnoticed in the Margraviate of Montferrat. There was Federico's bride now grown from a child to a young woman who insisted that übernehemen to her new role as wife and Marchioness of Mantua.
A wish that also Federico's mother Isabella d' Este Gonzaga shared in the dynastic interests of developing the power base of the house of Gonzaga and therefore Federico urged to have come out of Montferrat and his bride to consummate the marriage in order to ensure the continuity of the dynasty. The widowed since 1518 Marchioness of Montferrat, Anne d' Alençon - - very similar to the nominal in-law was heard, which had now for their minor son, Bonifacio assumed the regency of the Margraviate of Montferrat IV, and now in turn urged fulfillment of the marriage contract.
Federico, however, saw no reason to hurry, because he was not ready to give up his beautiful mistress, was therefore always new excuses to postpone the marriage. Since epistolary exhortations did not help, the anxious mother Anne d' Alencon went to Mantua to the now notorious impediment Isabella Boschetti - to remove from the farm to finally allow the marriage of their daughter with Federico II - the lover of her son-in.
Federico was thus in distress. Since he saw no other way to prevent this unwanted marriage, he decided to become a daring maneuver. Isabella should suddenly appear to the sick, to which he would have spread the suspicion Anne d' Alencon had tried to hate, to be poisoned "Isabella Boschetti, the wife of the Count of Calvisano ". The drama was staged by both so believable that Anne d' Alencon - to avoid public insults or attacks - Mantua fled from.
Federico and Isabella were relieved. Federiko was happy to have escaped marriage with an unloved wife, and declared the marriage contract with Maria of Montferrat as resolved. Isabella was glad that the risk of marriage Federico who would have compromised their position solid, was banned. She remained thus - though she was otherwise married - still the undisputed muse and lover Federico.
This disturbing situation changed when Isabella's husband Francesco Gonzaga Cauzzi 1524 died under not entirely clear circumstances of sudden and violent death. As Federico shortly after Isabella Boschetti officially declared to his lover and introduced her to his court, rumors began to spread that between these events a connection could exist.
The Palazzo del Te
Isabella - elegant, art direction and ambitious - found in Federico congenialen a partner who was anxious to leave Mantua beautify by the best artists of his time. Isabella had a good point of reference for contemporary art since her uncle Baldassare Castiglione now envoy of the Duke of Urbino Francesco Maria della Rovere, (* 1490, † 1538) at the papal court in Rome. Castiglione had there built an extensive circle of friends, which includes outstanding artists - such as Raphael (* 1483, † 1520) - included, who had his portrait painted. Through the mediation of Castiglione succeeded, in 1524 the artistic successor of Raphael, the painter, architect and builder Giulio Romano (* 1499 in Rome, † 1546 in Mantua ) to win as a court artist for Mantua.
As Federico and Isabella wanted to enjoy undisturbed by the telltale court society and of the disapproving comments from the mother of Federico their luck, Giulio Romano was commissioned outside the city, on an island in a marshy but quaint area, the Isola del Te, which was previously considered horse pasture served, a "villa Suburbana " - a pleasure palace - a fascinating romantic stay for the couple to build the Palazzo del Te. The planned together with Giulio Romano building was about to be built in deviation from the style of the High Renaissance, in the spirit of the rules that set out the humanist, art theorist and architect Leon Battista Alberti (* 1404, † 1472 ) in his textbook " De re edificatoria " had. The building is rectangular, not very impressive from the outside and reveals its beauty only when one is inside. In the Palazzo del Te impress not only the architecture - he is considered one of the masterpieces of Mannerism - especially the huge frescoes with which Giulio Romano, Benedetto Pagni and Rinaldo Mantovano the halls, such as the " Sala di Psyche ", the " Sala dei Cavalli "the" Sala dei Giganti had ", or the" Casino della Grotta "embellished etc..
The dominant theme of the project was the love, which is why Federico Gonzaga the painter Antonio Allegri, better known as Antonio da Correggio (1489-1534) therefore commissioned to paint a series of paintings that had the love affairs of Jupiter on the subject, as the Roman poet Ovid had described in his work Metamorphoses. Since Isabella Boschetti was at the center of his worship, it is likely that Federico in the artistic refinement wanted to immortalize also Isabella's beauty and therefore caused, the individual mythological figures of the frescoes and the paintings that adorn the Palazzo del Te, her figure and her face were given. Since no authentic portrait of Isabella is known can be made in this regard only guesses. One possibility is the most important fresco by Giulio Romano, the Feast of Cupid and Psyche - is where Isabella model for the shape of the psyche might have been.
One other possible portrait could be painted by Correggio picture of Danae, the Federico Gonzaga was for his private area, for the hall, which was dedicated to the poet Ovid in the Palazzo del Te, make.
The "marriage" with Federico d' Aragona Giulia
For Isabella this time of the romantic idyll was doubly precious because they knew about their transience. Predictably, it was not too long after another attempt to marry her lover Federico befitting.
Emperor Charles V was concerned about his discourse about events with King Francis I of France because of Isabella d' Este, the mother of Federico, funded Francophile tendencies of his vassals and General Federico Gonzaga. To more tightly bind him to his side, the emperor offered him the hand of his cousin Giulia d' Aragona to (* 1492, † March 10, 1542 ). She was a daughter of Federico I d' Aragona King of Naples (1496-1502) and his wife, Princess Anna of Savoy (* 1455, † 1480).
This was an offer that could not be rejected, because it came from Federico's supreme feudal lords and employers, concerned whose relatives and, moreover, a princess of the royal house, which stood far outrank the Marquis of Mantua.
Despite the considerable prestige, which would mean such a marriage for his house, Federico was less than enthusiastic. Quite apart from the fact that he had no interest in giving up his beloved Boschetta, the offer seemed unattractive: The father of this bride had been deposed in 1502 and 1504 died as a prisoner in Tours, the bride was eight years older than himself - and thus the same age as his first alleged mother Anne d' Alencon - was so feared that they might be sterile and Federico would therefore remain without offspring.
The concerns Federico - and even more so, the Isabella - were understandable, but were swept aside by the Emperor. Charles V ( Giulio de ' Medici ) ( 1523-1534 ) was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Bologna on 24 February 1530 by Pope Clement VII and took the opportunity of his commanders and vassals to pay tribute to him in Mantua visit, where the emperor moved with a large entourage on 25 March in triumph. He did not come empty-handed, but brought two gifts with: the Certificate of Survey Federico for the first Duke of Mantua - and the Treaty on the conclusion of the marriage between him and the imperial cousin Giulia d' Aragona.
Federico had no choice: To be Duke, he had to sign the contract on his marriage to Giulia d' Aragona. This he did - reluctantly - on April 6, 1530 until two days the Certificate of Survey Federico 1st Duke of Mantua was signed.. This was undoubtedly a black day for Isabella Boschetti, who had now seriously afraid of losing their place on the side of the new Duke, as there is no prospect of that this royal princess would similar to previously permitted to sell Maria of Montferrat by tricks.
Project: New marriage with Federico Maria of Montferrat
However, soon afterwards met in Mantua a sad news that have been recorded in Mantua, not without satisfaction. The reigning Margrave of Montferrat Bonifacio V. (1518-1530) - the achzehnjährige brother of his first bride Maria - had died in a hunting wild boar after a fall from his horse on October 17, 1530. Was because he was childless, followed this his uncle, Giovanni Giorgio Palaiologos (* 1488, 1533), the former abbot and bishop of Casale been when Margrave of Montferrat ( 1530-1533 ).
The indication that this is the only male scion of his house and that his health was considerably attacked, Federico suddenly remembered two things: that the Margraviate of Montferrat an alluring heritage and that he contracted with of the reorganized next heir of the Margraviate, Mary of 1517 Montferrat, was married. In comparison to the offered to him by the Emperor elderly bride without great legacy Federico therefore the previously scorned bride suddenly appeared as highly attractive. Now it was time to secure the heritage within reach by the renewing of marriage with Maria of Montferrat.
Isabella Boschetti pursued this new development with mixed feelings because you were the interests of her lover Federico important, but they had fear of losing him by this marriage.
The negotiations with the Emperor Charles V. to the realization of this project were not easy. Federico had to ask this, the offered by him as a bride cousin of the Emperor Giulia d' Aragona taken back by the relevant - to renounce solemnly signed the marriage contract - on the occasion of the survey for Duke Federico. The Emperor was little edified, but ultimately agreed to waive against payment of the huge sum of 50,000 Goldscudi to this contract.
This, however, only part of the problem was solved, because Federico had in 1517 signed a valid contract of marriage with Maria Palaiologos and in 1530 a further contract for the marriage to Giulia d' Aragona and lived at the same time in an extramarital relationship with Boschetti Isabella. He was therefore in the eyes of the Church is not just an ordinary sinner, but a bigamist. Federico therefore humbly turned to the Pope and asked for cancellation of the second and confirming the validity of the first marriage contract.
Pope Clement VII finally decided that the first marriage contract with Maria Palaiologos was valid.
The anticipation of this decision, with the question in the interest of Federico would have been controlled, however, proved to be premature. Five days before the Pope's Breve another message was in fact received, which might destroy him all such hopes: Maria Palaiologina which are unintentional, then again very coveted bride Federico was different.
Isabella Boschetti received this news with due respect and probably with relief, as hereby another marriage project had failed, that would have made her role as mistress of the Duke Federico seriously questioned.
The marriage of Fred with Margherita de Montferrat
At this moment, in the hopes of Isabella were on the upswing and Federico, to increase his power by the acquisition of the Margraviate of Montferrat, faded away, help came from an unexpected quarter. Anne d' Alencon, the offended by Federico rejected, then a second time as mother accepted widowed Marchioness of Montferrat, followed the international political developments and needed to realize the great danger that the Margraviate of Montferrat when going out of the house Palaiologos either of France or annexation of Savoy and would thus disappear from history. They therefore chose the lesser of two evils and offered Federico the hand of her younger daughter, Margherita Palaiologos (* 1510, † 1566), of the reorganized heiress of the Margraviate of Montferrat to.
This offer was the rescue at the last minute, so he accepted it immediately, so it was already on November 16, 1531 for the wedding I Margherita Palaiologos of Montferrat for Federico.
While this is an important step towards the fulfillment of his political ambitions was for Federico, this meant a significant setback for Isabella Boschetti. Now, after a long struggle, they finally had to withdraw after an official wife and the Duchess of Mantua, Federico share this. As a wise woman she knew to distinguish between state or dynastic duties and between a heart relationship. Therefore, acquiesced in her new role, by making his interests to hers and this - was the maintenance of a persistent love - beyond the official obligations.
The "marriage" of Giovanni Giorgio Palaiologos
The hope for the safe appearing heritage, however, was shaken by another wedding. What no one expected happened: the new Margrave of Montferrat, Giovanni Giorgio Palaiologos (* 1488, † 1533) the uncle of Margherita, was old and very ill, but felt the only remaining man of his house to marry committed to extinction to prevent his family. The chose of him bride was not entirely unknown, because she was the cousin of Emperor Charles V, Giulia d' Aragona Princess of Naples. There was therefore a risk that Giovanni Giorgio could produce an heir with the refused by Federico Gonzaga bride who would exclude Federico final of the Margraviate of Montferrat heritage.
The uncertainty lasted about two years, then fate decided. The ceremonial wedding of Giovanni Giorgio with Giulia d' Aragona Princess of Naples located after long preparations until April 29, 1533 in Ferrara instead. Then rode Margrave Giovanni Georgio with his consort to his residence town of Casale requires there to prepare the formal entry of his wife. Everything went as planned. His wife rode accompanied by her long escort into the city and Giovanni Giorgio rode to meet her. Suddenly he collapsed, fell and eventually died in the arms of his mature, but junfräulichen woman. Whether from an understandable excitement, exhaustion or disease is unclear.
Isabella Boschetti is Federico undoubtedly have the loss of this last obstacle which stood in the acquisition of the Margraviate of Montferrat, congratulates. However, you could just as Federico guessed himself that this should be the last obstacle in any way.
After the death of the last Marquis of Montferrat in 1533 it came between the dukes of Mantua and the Dukes of Savoy to a dispute over the succession to the property of the Margraviate. To avoid military conflict, Emperor Charles V, the Margraviate sequester pending the resolution of the dispute. It was only in 1526 transferred the Emperor Margraviate of the only surviving heir of the house Montferrat - to Margherita Palaeologus, wife of Federico II Gonzaga - and this itself
Later fate of Isabella Boschetti
Isabella had now witnessed four different wedding projects on the side of Federico Gonzaga, where it each concern was Federico befitting to marry him and thus turn away from her. She had been standing still for him, for she knew only too well the duties of Federico as ruler and heir of the dynasty and knew the moment would come when Federico his duty - would meet and she had to withdraw - a befitting marriage. That moment came, had come with the marriage of Fred with Margherita de Montferrat. Isabella retired from court life back, but it was Federico who is not got away from her - despite his marriage and the children born from it. She remained in the internal relationship the most important woman in the life of Federico, and remained with him until his death connected as a soul friend, she told him his passions such as collecting old and fine art, shared his concerns and devoted himself to the education of the two children.
The great turning point in the life of Isabella Boschetti came only with the death of Duke Federico II on 28 June 1540. Federico was succeeded by his eldest son to Francesco III. Gonzaga (* 1533, † 1550), as the second Duke of Mantua and Margrave of Montferrat under the regency of his mother Margherita Palaiolos and his uncle, Cardinal Ercole Gonzaga (* 1505, † 1563).
Isabella withdrew completely into her private life and married in 1542 in second marriage to Count Filippo Tornielli. She disappeared in the wake of the contemporary chronicles, so that the time of death is undetermined. Both the wife of Federico - Margherita de Montferrat († December 28, 1566 ) - as well as their mother, Anne d' Alençon ( † October 18, 1562) survived Isabella Boschetti, but both they might have envied their ability, despite all the vicissitudes decades the love of Federico Gonzaga to preserve. At reminds the - now stripped of its furniture and paintings - Palazzo del Te, as a place of their idyll, and perhaps frescoes by Giulio Romano or the image of Danae of Correggio.
Marriages and descendants
Isabella Boschetti married her first husband Francesco Gonzaga Cauzzi, conte di Calvisano († AD 1524), it was from 1519 the mistress of Frederico II Gonzaga ( born May 17, 1500 Mantua, † June 28, 1540 in Marmirolo, from 1519 Marquis, then 1st Duke of Mantua ( 1530-1540 ) and married his second wife in 1542 to Count Filippo Tornielli.
Offspring:
From the relationship with Federico II Gonzaga, Isabella Boschetti had 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. He was the first since 1530 Marchese ( Marquis ) of Gazzuolo, Conte ( Count ) of San Martino, Lord of Dosolo and Commessaggio (all in the province of Mantua in Lombardy ) (* 1523, † 1555) and was a son of Pirro Gonzaga († 1529) and Camilla Bentivoglio († 1529). Emilia Cauzzi Gonzaga had numerous children, the offspring of Isabella Boschetti - and thus also the relationship to Baldassare Castiglione - common to many families: Pirro II Gonzaga (* 1540, † 1592), since 1591 Principe di Bozzolo, Conte di San Martino, ∞ Francesca Guerrieri, a daughter of Conte Tullio Guerrieri
- Scipione Gonzaga (* 1542, † 11 January 1593) since December 18, 1587 Cardinal, Patriarch of Jerusalem,
- Annibale Francesco Gonzaga ( born July 31, 1546 † March 11, 1620 ), Bishop of Mantua ( 1593-620 ), Bishop of Cefalù ( 1587-1593 ), Franciscan ( OFM)
- Alfonso Gonzaga (* 1549, † 1569 ), condottieri
- Ferrante Gonzaga (* 1550, † 1605 ), Marchese di Gazzuolo, ∞ Isabella di Gonzaga Novel Lara (* 1576, † 1630), daughter of Alfonso Gonzaga Conte di Lara Novel
- Giulio Cesare Gonzaga (* 1552, † June 23, 1609 ), since 1591 Principe ( Prince ) di Bozzolo, Signore di Pomponesco, ∞ Flaminia Colonna († April 9, 1633 )
- Camilla Gonzaga, ∞ Sforza d' Appiano d' Aragona
- Polissena Gonzaga, ∞ Francesco Rossi, Marchese di San Secondo
- Laura Gonzaga, Benedictine nun as Sister Emilia in the monastery of San Giovanni delle Carrette in Mantua
- Giulio Cesare, † as a child.