Between friends? Two letters of Ippolita Sforza to Lorenzo de’ Medici

Abstract

This article examines aspects of the relationship of Lorenzo de’ Medici and Ippolita Sforza, Duchess of Calabria, through a close reading of two familiar letters by the latter dating from 1480 and 1486. The reading takes into account the respective political contexts of these letters – the end of the War of the Pazzi Conspiracy and of the Barons’ Revolt respectively – but seeks above all to use them to explore the nature of a ‘friendship’ complicated by the political and dynastic agendas of the two individuals as well as by issues of status and, particularly, of gender.

Daughter, mother, widow: The making of the identities of Isabella d'Aragona

“…Analyses by Judith Bryce and Carolyn James give insight into the epistolary practice of elite women in the context of their political and cultural activities. 82 Susan Broomhall, in comparison, places this practice in light of gendered performances of power, demonstrating that that the epistolary practice by early modern women was in itself production of power. 83 Likewise, Isabella's letters demonstrate the key importance of expressive language as the means of crafting and supporting identities, while at the same time being designed to connect with readers for political effect.…”

“…60 Ippolita's own letters revealed her ability to influence and persuade, as Diana Robin, Lynn Westwater, Evelyn Welch and Judith Bryce have demonstrated. 61 Similarly, Veronica Mele, who examined almost 500 letters of Ippolita, shows that the success of elite women as dynasts was often based on their public performance and diplomatic skills, the result of their education. 62 Isabella's education included the study of Latin and Greek composition and rhetoric, and she repeated this approach to education with her own son and her daughter Bona.…”

Petrarch's letters of recommendation

“…The very nature of the activity, and the model set out above, certainly implies friendship, a theme in letters of the period that has received considerable recent attention. 57 In addition, the importance of friendship to Petrarch has often been noted. 58 But a close investigation of these letters allows one to discern quite how central a role it played.…”