28th Annual Student Research Conference
A Man and His Castle: Federico da Montefeltro's Ducal Palace at Urbino
Carolynn E. Williston
Dr. Julia DeLancey and Dr. Sara Orel, Faculty Mentors
The Italian Renaissance was filled with prominent leaders during the fifteenth century, one of whom was Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino. Federico was revered by many for his varied interests and abilities, including military combat, diplomatic affairs, humanist study, and art patronage. While the duke certainly employed many artists and had portraits created of himself and his family, it can be argued that the Ducal Palace at Urbino best represents him as a man and ruler. Federico used the interior of this building as his way of expressing his passion for humanistic studies and art patronage. The room that best represents this devotion is his private study which represents in its decoration scheme the dukes background by way of portraits of famous men and detailed intarsie representing the humanities. By analyzing Federico's humanist education and history of commissioning art, this room comes alive as a representation of its patron.
Keywords: Renaissance, Italy, Urbino, studioli, Federico da Montefeltro, Ducal Palace
Topic(s):Art - Art History
History
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 104-3
Location: OP 2210
Time: 8:30