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Article: Castiglione, Baldassare (1478–1529)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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CASTIGLIONE, BALDASSARE (1478
–
1529)
CASTIGLIONE, BALDASSARE
(1478
–
1529), Italian writer and diplomat. The fame of Baldassare Castiglione rests with his dialogue-treatise
Il cortegiano (The Book of the Courtier),
first published in 1528 and immediately acclaimed in Italy and throughout Europe. For centuries it served as the model "courtesy" book, a guide, both ethical and aesthetic, for the social relations of gentlemen and ladies.
Castiglione was born in Casatico, near Mantua, on 6 November 1478, the son of Cristoforo, a professional soldier in the service of the Marquis of Mantua, and Aloisa Gonzaga, who was related to the ruling family. In 1490 he was sent to Milan to ...