Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua
| Francesco II Gonzaga | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Spouse(s) | Isabella d'Este |
| Issue | |
| Noble family | House of Gonzaga |
| Father | Federico I Gonzaga |
| Mother | Margaret of Bavaria (1442–1479) |
| Born |
10 August 1466 Mantua |
| Died | 29 March 1519 (aged 52) Mantua |
Francesco II (or IV) Gonzaga (10 August 1466 – 29 March 1519) was the ruler of the Italian city of Mantua from 1484 until his death.
Gonzaga was born in Mantua, the son of Marquess Federico I Gonzaga. He had a career as a condottiero acting as Venice's commander from 1489 to 1498. He was the commander-in-chief of the army of the Italian league in the battle of Fornovo, although under the tutorage of his more experienced uncle Ridolfo Gonzaga: although inconclusive, the battle had at least the effect of pushing Charles VIII of France's army back to the Alps. He was described as "short, pop-eyed, snub-nosed and exceptionally brave, and was regarded as the finest knight in Italy".
Later he was rival of the Venetians, as leader of the Holy League formed by Pope Julius II against them. On that occasion he was captured by the Venetians, who held him as hostage for several months and humiliated him. He only became free by giving his son Federico II as hostage to Rome. This caused his perpetual hostility towards that city, and he refused any subsequent request to return to command its army.
During his absences, Mantua was governed by his wife Isabella d'Este, whom he had married on 12 February 1490. Under their reign, Mantua knew a great age of cultural splendour, with the presence in the city of artists such as Andrea Mantegna and Jacopo Bonacolsi. Francesco had the Palace of St. Sebastian built, where Mantegna's Triumph of Caesar was eventually placed.
Beginning in 1503, he started a long relationship with Lucrezia Borgia.
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