Renaissance, Power and Patronage: The Legacy of Isabella d’Este
Overview of the Course
From a young age, Isabella d’Este was immersed in the vibrant artistic and intellectual culture of the Este court in Ferrara, where her education and family’s deep patronage of the arts profoundly shaped her. As the eldest daughter of Ercole I d’Este, Duke of Ferrara, and Eleonora of Naples, Isabella grew up surrounded by painters, musicians, and humanist scholars who were regularly welcomed at court. Her father’s support of the Ferrarese school of painting and his commissions of major works introduced Isabella early on to the power of art as a tool of prestige and expression. Her mother, equally refined, fostered an environment rich in music and courtly elegance. Isabella’s education reflected the humanist ideals of the Renaissance, including studies in Latin, Greek, classical literature, music, drawing, and philosophy—an extraordinary curriculum for a young noblewoman. This unique blend of rigorous intellectual training and constant exposure to the finest artistic achievements of the time instilled in Isabella a lifelong passion for beauty, knowledge, and cultural leadership, setting the stage for her future role as one of Renaissance Italy’s greatest patrons of the arts.
This three-part online course explores the extraordinary life and legacy of Isabella d’Este (1474–1539), one of the most influential women of the Italian Renaissance. Through a combination of historical insight and close examination of art, letters, and court culture, we will trace her development from a precocious child in Ferrara to a powerful political figure and renowned patron of the arts in Mantua.
The program culminates in an exclusive 2-day visit to the city of Mantua where you will experience the splendour of the Palazzo Ducale and the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, the house of the artist, Mantegna and Palazzo Te.
It is possible to register for the online course or the visit only, by contacting us.
If you have any questions, let us know.
Duration
3 week online course (One 1 -hour session per week via Zoom)
2 day Tour of Mantua
Dates
16, 23, 30 April 2026 (online course)
2, 3 May 2026 Tour of Mantua
Time
4.00 - 5.00pm (BST)online course
Mantua Tour - Saturday 2 May - Day 1 - 10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday 3 May - Day 2 - 10.00am - 3.30pm
Fee
€1500 course and Mantua tour (purchase online)
3 week course €280 (contact us for payment)
2 day Mantua Tour €1200 (contact us for payment)
Session 1 A Marvellous Child
Discover Isabella’s early life, focusing on her elite education, family influences, and the cultural richness of the Este court that helped shape her intellect and taste.
Session 2 First Lady of the Renaissance
Examine Isabella’s political and cultural role as Marchesa of Mantua, her influence on diplomacy, and how she fashioned a powerful public identity in Renaissance Italy
Session 3 Patronage and the Courts of the Early Renaissance
The final session of this online course explores Isabella's groundbreaking patronage of artists like Mantegna and Leonardo, the creation of her famous studiolo, and how she helped define courtly culture through art and collecting
Mantua Tour - Day 1 Saturday 2 May
The tour begins with a visit to the grand Palazzo Ducale which offers a glimpse into the opulent world of the Gonzaga family, with its frescoed halls and hidden courtyards. Nearby, the Rotonda di San Lorenzo, Mantua’s oldest church, provides a striking contrast with its intimate, circular Romanesque design that evokes a sense of timeless spirituality.
Mantua Tour - Day 2 Sunday 3 May
On day two, we visit Casa del Mantegna, where we step inside the Renaissance home of the famed court painter, appreciating its harmonious proportions and central courtyard that reflect his artistic vision. Just a short distance away, the lavish Palazzo Te enchants with Giulio Romano’s playful frescoes and imaginative architecture, making it a masterpiece of Mannerist style. 3.30pm End
Lecturer’s Biography
Aliki Braine
Born in Paris in 1976, Aliki Braine studied at The Ruskin School of Fine Art, Oxford, The Slade School of Fine Art, London, and The Courtauld Institute, where she was awarded a distinction for her master's in 17th-century painting. Aliki has been a regular lecturer at the National Gallery since 2001 and teaches at the Wallace Collection, Courtauld Gallery, and The Arts Society. She is an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Fine Art Photography at the University of the Arts London. Aliki is also a practicing artist who regularly exhibits her photographic work internationally.
