"The Court," from the Bridal Chamber (Camera della Sposi) by Andrea Mantegna
On the north wall.
". . .the whole court is represented in a fairly informal manner, caught at the moment when a messenger (on the left) delivers a letter to Ludovico, flanked by his wife Barbara of Brandenburg: the room is dedicated to the couple and for this reason is known as the 'Bridal Chamber' [?]. Ludovico learns from the letter that Francesco Sforza, the ruler of Milan whose army he commands, is gravely ill." [from "The Ducal Palace, Mantua" by Stefano L'Occaso.]
Barbara of Brandenburg (1422-1481), the central figure in the panel, actually "commands" more painted space than her husband. Interesting artistic choice! She really does look "German," IMHO!
Barbara was the niece of Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, who played a key role in arranging her marriage to the heir of the strategically important Duchy of Mantua. The "formalities of marriage" occurred when Barbara was just ten years old, when she was sent off a very long way - across the Alps - to her future home.
Continuing with this account from Dr. Wiki Pedia:
"After her marriage, she was given a thorough Renaissance education with the other children of the Marquis of Mantua. She was a student of Vittorino da Feltre, and instructed in rhetoric, mathematics, philosophy, music, drawing, fencing, riding, swimming and ball sports. She was tutored in Greek and language, and [became] able to speak four languages. She was well educated in literature and became known as one of the most well-educated women of the early Renaissance.
"In 1444, her spouse became Marquis of Mantua, and she was given the title Marchioness of Mantua, and became the first lady of the Mantovan court. She was active as the political adviser of her spouse with the responsibility of foreign diplomatic correspondence, in particular when it pertained to relations between Mantua and Germany. Between 1445 and 1455, she frequently acted as Regent of Mantua during the absence of her spouse, and the later economic success of Mantua has sometimes been attributed to her policy.
"When the Council of Mantua was held in the city from 27 May 1459 to 19 January 1460, summoned by Pope Pius II to launch a crusade against the Ottoman Turks who had conquered Constantinople, it was an event of the highest prestige for Mantua. This was also an event Barbara had successfully worked for a long time prior. During this meeting, Barbara participated in Dynastic policy negotiations, resulting in the marriage of her son to Margaret of Bavaria and her daughters to the Duke of Wurttemberg and the Duke of Gorizia, and her daughter Dorothea to the heir of Milan."
Note that it was during the years leading up to and then following the Council of Mantua that Mantegna was working on the Camera degli Sposi.
["Sigismund of Luxembourg (15 February 1368 – 9 December 1437) was a monarch who reigned as King of Hungary and Croatia from 1387, King of Germany from 1410, King of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor from 1433 until his death in 1437, as well as prince-elector of Brandenburg (1378–1388 and 1411–1415). He was the last male member of the House of Luxembourg."]
"The Court," from the Bridal Chamber (Camera della Sposi) by Andrea Mantegna
On the north wall.
". . .the whole court is represented in a fairly informal manner, caught at the moment when a messenger (on the left) delivers a letter to Ludovico, flanked by his wife Barbara of Brandenburg: the room is dedicated to the couple and for this reason is known as the 'Bridal Chamber' [?]. Ludovico learns from the letter that Francesco Sforza, the ruler of Milan whose army he commands, is gravely ill." [from "The Ducal Palace, Mantua" by Stefano L'Occaso.]
Barbara of Brandenburg (1422-1481), the central figure in the panel, actually "commands" more painted space than her husband. Interesting artistic choice! She really does look "German," IMHO!
Barbara was the niece of Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund, who played a key role in arranging her marriage to the heir of the strategically important Duchy of Mantua. The "formalities of marriage" occurred when Barbara was just ten years old, when she was sent off a very long way - across the Alps - to her future home.
Continuing with this account from Dr. Wiki Pedia:
"After her marriage, she was given a thorough Renaissance education with the other children of the Marquis of Mantua. She was a student of Vittorino da Feltre, and instructed in rhetoric, mathematics, philosophy, music, drawing, fencing, riding, swimming and ball sports. She was tutored in Greek and language, and [became] able to speak four languages. She was well educated in literature and became known as one of the most well-educated women of the early Renaissance.
"In 1444, her spouse became Marquis of Mantua, and she was given the title Marchioness of Mantua, and became the first lady of the Mantovan court. She was active as the political adviser of her spouse with the responsibility of foreign diplomatic correspondence, in particular when it pertained to relations between Mantua and Germany. Between 1445 and 1455, she frequently acted as Regent of Mantua during the absence of her spouse, and the later economic success of Mantua has sometimes been attributed to her policy.
"When the Council of Mantua was held in the city from 27 May 1459 to 19 January 1460, summoned by Pope Pius II to launch a crusade against the Ottoman Turks who had conquered Constantinople, it was an event of the highest prestige for Mantua. This was also an event Barbara had successfully worked for a long time prior. During this meeting, Barbara participated in Dynastic policy negotiations, resulting in the marriage of her son to Margaret of Bavaria and her daughters to the Duke of Wurttemberg and the Duke of Gorizia, and her daughter Dorothea to the heir of Milan."
Note that it was during the years leading up to and then following the Council of Mantua that Mantegna was working on the Camera degli Sposi.
["Sigismund of Luxembourg (15 February 1368 – 9 December 1437) was a monarch who reigned as King of Hungary and Croatia from 1387, King of Germany from 1410, King of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor from 1433 until his death in 1437, as well as prince-elector of Brandenburg (1378–1388 and 1411–1415). He was the last male member of the House of Luxembourg."]