Isabella d'Este

Isabella d'Este
The only certain image of Isabella: Medal by Giovanni Cristoforo Romano (c. 1495 – gold version c. 1505)
Marchioness consort of Mantua
Reign	12 February 1492 - 29 March 1519
Born	(1474-05-19)19 May 1474 Ferrara, Duchy of Ferrara
Died	13 February 1539(1539-02-13) (aged 64) Mantua, Duchy of Mantua
Spouse	Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua ​ ​ (m. 1492; died 1519)​
Issue	Eleonor Gonzaga, Duchess of Urbino Margherita Gonzaga Federico II, Duke of Mantua Livia Gonzaga Ippolita Gonzaga Ercole Gonzaga Ferrante Gonzaga Livia Gonzaga
House	Este
Father	Ercole I d'Este
Mother	Eleanor of Naples

Isabella d'Este (19 May 1474 – 13 February 1539) was the Marchioness of Mantua and one of the leading women of the Italian Renaissance as a major cultural and political figure.

She was a patron of the arts as well as a leader of fashion and her innovative style of dressing was emulated by many women. The poet Ariosto labeled her as the "liberal and magnanimous Isabella",^[1] while author Matteo Bandello described her as "supreme among women".^[1] Diplomat Niccolò da Correggio went even further by hailing her as "The First Lady of the world".^[1]

She served as the regent of Mantua during the absence of her husband Francesco II Gonzaga and during the minority of her son Federico. She was a prolific letter-writer and maintained a lifelong correspondence with her sister-in-law Elisabetta Gonzaga. Isabella grew up in a cultured family in the city-state of Ferrara. She received a fine classical education and she met many famous humanist scholars and artists. Due to the vast amount of extant correspondence between Isabella and her family and friends, her life is extremely well documented.^[2]