Allegory of Isabella d'Este's Coronation

This was made for one small, famous room. Isabella d'Este, marchioness of Mantua, filled a private study she called her studiolo with pictures on set poetic themes, supplied by her court poet. The subject here, an elaborate compliment to Isabella herself crowned amid her court, was first handed to Andrea Mantegna. When Mantegna died in 1506 the commission passed to Lorenzo Costa, who painted over what his predecessor had begun. Isabella was pleased enough that Costa inherited Mantegna's other job as well, court painter to the Gonzaga. At the center a woman is crowned with laurel while figures from mythology and poetry gather around her in a grove.