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Research Coins: Feature Auction

 

Warrior, Patron of the Arts, and Husband of Lucrezia Borgia

Sale: Triton XII, Lot: 1008. Estimate $20000. 
Closing Date: Monday, 5 January 2009. 
Sold For $22000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Ferrara. Alfonso I d'Este. 1505-1534. AR Testone (9.76 g, 3h). ΛLFONSVS DVX FERRΛRIΛE (inverted pyramidal stops), bare-headed and armored bust left / DE FORTI DVLCEDO (inverted pyramidal stops), Samson, wearing Roman-style helmet seated left on curule chair, holding lion mask from which a swarm of bees issues forth; to left, serpent-entwined around stump . CNI X 31var. (no inverted pyramidal stop at end of rev. legend); Ravegnani & Morosini 3. Superb EF, toned. Extraordinarily fine-style Renaissance portrait.


Ex Morton & Eden (28 November 2006), lot 590.

Alfonso I d’Este was a true Renaissance prince. Shortly after he became duke, he uncovered a plot against him that involved two of his brothers. Tried for high treason, they were convicted and sentenced to be executed. However, Alfonso commuted their sentences to life imprisonment.

During the Italian Wars, Alfonso maintained a delicate balance between the warring factions, while strengthening Ferrara’s fortifications against attack. Joining the League of Cambrai, he sided with the French against Pope Julius II. For this, Alfonso was excommunicated and relieved of his territories, which now became part of the Papal States. Alfonso was not to be undone, using Ferrara’s superior artillery made from fragments of Michelangelo’s equestrian statue of Julius, he assisted in several significant victories against the Pope, and the emperor Charles V subsequently rewarded Alfonso’s assistance with the restoration of his lands.

Alfonso was also a patron of the arts. He patronized Giovanni Bellini and Titian, who painted for him several works, including a portrait of the Duke leaning on one of his cannons. In 1529 Alfonso built a magnificent art gallery. Known as the Camerino, this white marble-veneered chamber with gilded ceiling housed his impressive collection.

Alfonso was married twice. His first wife, Anna, was the sister of Gian Galeazzo Sforza, and the niece of Alfonso’s own sister, Beatrice. After Anna’s death in childbirth, Alfonso married Lucrezia Borgia, the daughter of Pope Alexander VI and sister of Cesare Borgia, and whose name became a by-word for Renaissance ruthlesness.