Federico da Montefeltro
Federico da Montefeltro | |
|---|---|
Profile portrait of Federico da Montefeltro by Piero della Francesca. Federico lost his nasal bridge and his right eye in a tournament. | |
| Duke of Urbino | |
| Reign | 22 July 1444 – 10 September 1482 |
| Predecessor | Oddantonio |
| Successor | Guidobaldo I |
| Born | 7 June 1422 Castello di Petroia, Gubbio, Papal States |
| Died | 10 September 1482 (aged 60) Ferrara, Duchy of Ferrara |
| Noble family | Montefeltro |
| Spouses | |
| Issue | Costanza di Montefeltro (December 1460 – February 1461) Giovanna di Montefeltro (1462–1514) Isabetta di Montefeltro (c. 1464–1521) Costanza di Montefeltro (1466–1518) Violanta di Montefeltro Agnese di Montefeltro (1470–1522) Guidobaldo da Montefeltro (1472–1508) |
| Father | Guidantonio da Montefeltro, or possibly Bernardino Ubaldini della Carda |
Federico da Montefeltro, also known as Federico III da Montefeltro KG (7 June 1422 – 10 September 1482), was one of the most successful mercenary captains (condottieri) of the Italian Renaissance. He became the lord of Urbino in 1444, and ruled the city as its duke from 1474 until his death. In addition to his considerable reputation for martial skill and honour, he was a renowned intellectual humanist and civic leader. Montefeltro commissioned the construction of a great library, perhaps the largest of Italy after the Vatican's, complete with a team of scribes in its scriptorium. He also assembled a large humanistic court in his Ducal Palace, designed by Luciano Laurana and Francesco di Giorgio Martini.