Thought of the Day 7.27.12

[No quote for Today’s Thought, just some interesting history and some lovely paintings.]

Ludovico Sforza, called the Moor (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ludovico Sforza [il Moro],  born on this day in Vigevano, Lombardy, Italy in 1452. Today is the 518 anniversary of his Birth.

The fourth son of the powerful Sforza family Ludovico was not supposed to become Duke of Milan. But his mother, Bianca Maria Visconti Sforza insisted that he be educated in the arts, government and warfare.

Bianca Maria Visconti Sforza (Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

When Ludovico was 14 his father died and his bother Galeazzo Maria became Duke. Galeazzo, was cruel and sadistic ruler. He reigned for 10 years until he was assassinated on St. Steven’s Day (Dec 26) 1476.

The next in line was Galeazzo’s 7 year old son Gian Galeazzo Sforza.

Alleged portrait of Gian Galeazzo Maria Sforza as Saint Sebastian, by Giovanni Ambrogio de Predis in 1483. Portrait of a Youth as Saint Sebastian, Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ludovico, called the More because of his black hair and swarthy appearance, saw his chance and made a play to become Regent for young Gian, but the boy’s mother, Bona of Savoy, fended him off. Ludovico went into exile for a while but returned in 1481 and seized control of Milan.

With Bona out of the way he  became Regent and de facto ruler. He kept a tight reign on the young Duke and refused to turn over power when Gian came of age. And when Gian died from natural causes (many believed his uncle had him poisoned) Ludovico took official control of the Dukedom.

As Regent and then as Duke Ludovico  built Milan into a powerhouse among Italian city states. He invested in infrastructure, building  up the cattle and horse industries as well as the silk industry. He widened the streets,  funded the universities and supported the the continued building of the Cathedral of MIlan.

Ludovico married Beatrice d’Este, a charming and beautiful 15 year old in 1491. Ludovico was already a patron of the arts — Leonardo Da Vinci helped bring about his marriage —  but with Beatrice’s sense of style (and extravagance) Sforza castle blossomed into a center of entertainment.

Portrait of a lady  Beatrice d’Este by Giovanni Ambrogio de Predis and Leonardo da Vinci. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Perhaps Ludovico’s most famous contributions to history is his commissioning of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. The masterpiece, based on the Gospel of John 13:21 depicts Jesus breaking bread with his 12 disciples shortly before his death. Specifically it shows the reaction of the 12 to Jesus telling them that one of them will betray him  It measures 15 x 29 feet and graces the wall of a dining hall at the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. (Ludovico’s father, Francesco is buried at Santa Maria).

The Last Supper

As the Duke of Milan he was one of many players on the game board that was Italy (Venice, Florence, Naples, and the Vatican in Rome being some others.) Ludovico played a key roll in the Italian Wars.  It was a game he ultimately lost.  He was captured and handed over to the French. He died in the dungeon at Loches on May17, 1508.