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Ava Fidalgo

Mr. Balletto

Honors Western Civilization

2 December 2020

Renaissance Biography: Baldassare Castiglione

Baldassare Castiglione was born on December 6th, 1478, in Casatico, Italy to a noble

family. Castiglione was very intelligent and attended the school of Giorgio Merula and

Demetrius Chalcondyles. He was also educated at the court of Ludovico Sforza in Milan. With

his extensive knowledge in multiple subjects, he became an outstanding leader. Later in his life,

Castiglione joined the army and became an ambassador. Additionally, he got married, had a son,

and sadly, his wife passed just four years after marriage. Towards the end of his life, he

published II Libro del Cortegiano, his most famous piece of writing.

Castiglione returned to Mantua in 1499, shortly after his father died, to serve in the

military. He entered the service of the marquis, Francesco Gonzaga, and soon transferred to the

service of Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, duke of Urbino, in 1504. After being of service under two

groups, Castiglione was sent to Rome in 1513 as an ambassador of the new duke of Urbino,

Francesco Maria del la Rovere. He then went on to Spain as papal nuncio or ambassador in 1525.

Baldassare Castiglione spent over two decades serving in the military and as an ambassador for

Spain and Italy. He quickly moved on to writing and pursuing the arts.

During his time in service, Castiglione had the opportunity to collaborate with painter and

architect, Raphael. The two collaborated on a memorandum regarding the preservation of the

city’s antiquities. In 1513 to about 1518, Castiglione wrote II Libro del Cortegiano. His work

was published in Venice, Italy, in 1528, not long before he passed away. Castiglione’s work was
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about the qualities of the ideal courtier. The dialogue of his piece is said to be about the

conversations at the court of Urbino on four successive evenings in 1507. The main theme

includes an essence of humor, the relation between the courtier and his prince, the qualities of the

ideal court lady, and the definition of honorable love. Castiglione’s writing, like many other

artists and writers of the Renaissance, was inspired by the work of ancient writers. Within 100

years of II Libro del Corthegiano being published, it was translated into over five different

languages. His apparent intention was to raise problems of how to act as a courtier. Despite the

exact meaning of his writing, it became popular all-around Europe.

In the midst of his service and writing, Castiglione betrothed Ippolita Torelli in 1516.

Together they had Castiglione’s only child, a son named Camillo. Camillo was a poet and writer,

similarly to his father, but never became was famous. After four years of marriage, Ippolita

passed away. Nine years after her, Baldassare Castiglione died of the plague in Toledo in 1529.

Castiglione’s contribution to the Renaissance was through his writing. Baldassare

Castiglione began writing with inspiration from writers before him. With his piece being greatly

recognized, new writers used II Libro del Cortegiano as inspiration in their writing, and quote

possible art was well. During the Renaissance, the arts were supported by monarchs and thus

greatly appreciated. Once Castiglione became known as one of the best writers and poets of the

Renaissance, he furthered the careers of those who idolized him and his work. This contributed

to the popularity and turning point of the Renaissance for writers in the present and future.

In English, Castiglione’s book is pronounced, The book of the Courtier. His famous piece

of writing is still studied today, in 2020. His legacy lives on, far after his death. Castiglione

served in the army, became a writer, and famously published II Libro del Cortegiano.
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Throughout his lifetime, Castiglione used his wit to write a spectacular piece of history that is

now and forever admired.

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Bibliography

Burke, U. P. (n.d.). Baldassare Castiglione. Retrieved December 01, 2020, from

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Baldassare-Castiglione