Leonardo spent decades among courts full of powerful women and left paintings, drawings and accounts that are difficult to reconcile. Isabella of Aragon, Costanza d’Avalos, Bianca Giovanna Sforza, Caterina Sforza and Isabella d’Este have all featured in proposals. Some fit a period in his life, but none brings together the evidence that favours Lisa Gherardini.
The whole story stays in view; this chapter’s people are highlighted. Atlas controls are in Spanish.
People in this chapter
Isabella d’Este
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Full profile and sources in Spanish ↗Catalina Sforza
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Full profile and sources in Spanish ↗Lisa Gherardini
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Full profile and sources in Spanish ↗Isabel de Nápoles
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Full profile and sources in Spanish ↗Costanza d’Avalos
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Full profile and sources in Spanish ↗Bianca Giovanna Sforza
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Full profile and sources in Spanish ↗Sources and coverage
Coverage is selective. Source titles remain in their original language; the Spanish records retain the detailed documentary notes.
Sources and methodology