Lovato Lovati

Lovato Lovati (1241–1309) was an Italian scholar, poet, notary, judge and humanist from the Italian Renaissance. Arguable among historians, Lovati is considered the "father of Humanism." His literary Padua circle included Rolando de Piazzola, Geremia da Montagnone, and Albertino Mussato. Lovati's scholarship marked characteristics which would later define the development of humanism: an appetite for classical texts; a philological concern to correct them, and ascertain their meaning; and a desire to imitate them. Scholars such as Petrarch commented on his works favorably. Lovati's achievements which survive today are his Latin verse epistles, and his short commentary of Seneca's tragedies.

The exact birthdate of Lovato Lovati is not known, William Sisler suggests 1241 whereas Ronald Witt asserts that it is 1240. However it is certain that Lovato was born in Padua. Lovato's father, Rolando Lovati, was a notary along with Lovato's brother, Alberto Lovati. A young Lovato in the 1250s and 1260s benefitted greatly from a revival of formal study of ancient texts, this revival took place in the studio of Padua, which was the local university. During these years it is possible that Lovato was taught by Ronaldino of Padua, a writer at the time. Lovato was tasked with educating his nephew, Rolando da Piazzola, and he later dedicated a poem to him. This nephew was the son of his sister who married Guido da Piazzola.

Despite being among the progenitors of the Italian humanist movement, Lovato Lovati's primary occupation was his work as a notary and judge. Although Lovato was enamoured by his poetic, scholarly, and literary interests; the majority of Lovato's time was consumed by his occupation. At the age of 16 or 17 Lovato began to work as a notary making copies from his father's register, a signature on a document dated in 1257 suggests that Lovato's formal education had ended by this point. It seems that Lovato's father, Rolando, intended for Lovato to have the same career as him. On May 6, 1267 Lovato was accepted into Padua's College of Judges at the age of 26 or 27. At least six years of formal legal study was required for admission into the College, implying that by this point in time Lovato had completed this. Within the first year of being admitted into the college of judges Lovato composed two poems: one to Compagnino(a Paduan lawyer and friend of Lovato), and another poem written in dactylic hexameter. One year later in 1268, Lovato married Jacopina de Vicenzo da Solesina with whom he had a son named Ronaldo. By 1271 Lovato was a judge in the palace of the Commune, and in 1273 he became gastaldo of the College of Judges. Although the positions of notary and judge were not socially esteemed positions, Lovato used his profession to bolster his fortune and influence in Padua.

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