Figure 1.--THis fascinating work by ??? shows Duke Federigo and his son Guidobaldo inbibing the wisdom of a humanist scholar--perhaps Paul of Middelbourg. It is not clear in what language the lecture was given--perhaps Latin. Note how limited the audience was. The painting may be the work of of Pedro Berruguete, probably painted in the 1470s. The painting symbolized Duke Federijg's devotion to the new learning.

Urbino was an ancient town, but a small and relatibely poor town located in central Italy. It was a settlement of Celtic and Umbrian populations. It was municpium of Urbinum Hortense of Umbria/Urvinum Mataurense under the Romans. Umbino was a dukedom. It was ruled by Federico of Montefeltro (1444-82), Under his rule, Urbino shown for a while with unheard of cultural brilliance. He as one of the great enlightened Renaisance prince of the 15th century. He managed to attract some of the greatest men of the Renaissance in his effort to create the ideal humanist city. These included Piero della Francesca, Leon Battista Alberti, and Baldassare Castiglione (left), who used Urbino as a setting for his book Il libro del cortegiano (Book of the courtesan). The book became a kind of handbook for courtly behaviour. Duke Federico has enlightened ideas about both governance and culture. Federico conceived a State organised upon rationality. He designed the palace which dominates the town with this principle on mind. As a physical symbol of his state, the design of the palace rejects the idea of separation and defense. He wanted a palace which promoted the circulation of people and ideas. His palace which he began building soon after becoming duke (1447) is of solid structure with external harmonious slenderness and functional interiors. Today the town is still dominated by the ducal palace and a free university (1564). Urbino is also the birtplace of Rafael considered by many to be the greates of the Renaisance artists.

Created: 9:06 AM 5/7/2009
Last updated: 9:06 AM 5/7/2009