Rodolfo Gonzaga

Rodolfo Gonzaga behind his mother in a painting by Andrea Mantegna in the Camera degli Sposi in Mantua.

Rodolfo Gonzaga (18 April 1452, in Mantua – 6 July 1495, in Fornovo) was an Italian condottiero. He was the son of Ludovico III Gonzaga and Barbara of Brandenburg.

He died at the Battle of Fornovo, where he commanded a contingent of men fighting against France.

Family

Rodolfo Gonzaga first married Antonia Malatesta (1451-1483) on 11 January 1481. The marriage remained childless.

He married secondly Caterina Pico (1454-1501) in 1484, a sister of the philosopher Giovanni Pico. With Caterina he had six children:

  • Paola Gonzaga (born 1486 in Mantua; died May 30, 1519 in Milan), married 1501 Gian Niccolò Trivulzio (* 1479; † 1512), Count of Musocco, son of Gian Giacomo Trivulzio
  • Gianfrancesco Gonzaga (born 2 February 1488 in Luzzara; died 18 December 1524), Lord of Luzzara, married Laura Pallavicino, daughter of Galeazzo Pallavicino Marchese of Busseto
  • Lucrezia Gonzaga (born 30 September 1490; died young)
  • Barbara Gonzaga (born 30 September 1490; died young)
  • Giulia Gonzaga (* March 16, 1493 - † November 25, 1544), nun in Mantua
  • Luigi Alessandro Gonzaga (born 20 April 1494 in Luzzara; died 19 July 1549 in Castel Goffredo) Marquis of Castiglione, Castel Goffredo and Solferino, married 1540 Caterina Anguissola († December 13, 1550), daughter of Gian Giacomo Anguissola, Count di Piacenza