Margherita Gonzaga
Margherita Gonzaga was an Italian noblewoman and Duchess of Mantua during the Renaissance. She was born in the late 15th century into the powerful Gonzaga family. Margherita was married to the Duke of Mantua, Francesco II Gonzaga. Together they ruled over the Duchy of Mantua. She was instrumental in establishing the city of Mantua as a center of culture and learning. Margherita was a patron of the arts and sciences, sponsoring artists and scholars and promoting their work. She was also a woman of strong religious conviction, and she was known for her charitable works and her support of the Catholic Church. She was a close friend of Isabella d’Este, another powerful woman of the Renaissance. Together they supported each other’s cultural and intellectual interests.