Portrait of Castiglione
by Raphael
Baldassare Castiglione (1478-1592)
Baldassare Castiglione was born into a noble family and received what was a typical Renaissance era
education for sons of the nobility. He entered into services of the Duke of Urbino in 1504. It was in the Duke's service that
Castiglione came to think about writing The Book of the Courtier, consisting of conversations between various members of the court which also
defined the tastes, behaviors and sensibilities of the well bred, well-educated Renaissance woman or man.
Following the death of the Duke of Urbino, Castiglione served under the new Duke. During this time he became ambassador to Rome.
Castiglione was also a poet who composed in both Italian and Latin.
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