Ludovico Gonzaga and Barbara di Brandeburgo

Barbara of Brandenburg married the nineteen-year-old Ludovico II, son and heir of the lord of Mantua Gianfrancesco Gonzaga, at a very young age. Barbara was educated at the court of Mantua with other members of the Gonzaga family and became one of the most notable and cultured women of the Renaissance. She learned four languages and was an expert in literature. Among her teachers there was also the humanist Vittorino da Feltre. Barbara became marquise consort of Mantua on the death of her father-in-law in 1444, retaining her title until she was widowed in 1478. Her successor was their son Federico I Gonzaga, Ludovico III. Thanks to the efforts of Barbara of Brandenburg, the Gonzaga court in Mantua transformed into one of the famous centers of culture and art of the Renaissance in Italy. Highly esteemed by her husband, who entrusted her with the regency of the Marquisate during her numerous absences, Barbara participated in the management of the government and personally took care of the education of her children. She gave particular emphasis to the relations between Mantua and the Holy Roman Empire, marrying three of her sons and her daughters to German princes and princesses. Barbara also conducted much of the diplomatic correspondence, not only with her family, but also with the Viscontis, the Curia, and numerous personalities of the Empire.