On this day (6 July) in 1533 the Italian poet, Ludovico Ariosto died in Ferrara.
Ludovico had been born on September 8th, 1474 at Reggio Emilia in the Duchy of Modena. His father was Niccolo Ariosto and his mother was Daria Malaguzzi Valeri. In his youth he had studied law and later took an interest in Classical literature, under the tutelage of Gregorio da Spoleto.
Following his father’s death in 1500, despite Ludovico taking on responsibility for his family and becoming captain of the fortress of Canossa, he was able to produce prose of a quality that attracted a powerful patron, Cardinal Ippolito d’Este. Ludovico was ingratiated into the d’Este household although, it is reported that the poet found his patron mean and ungrateful. In turn, the Cardinal became irritated with Ludovico’s refusal to accompany him to Hungary when he was given the bishopric of Buda and terminated this inequitable partnership.
Fortunately, Cardinal Ippolito’s brother, Alphonso Duke of Ferrara, stepped into the breach and utilised Ludovico on dangerous diplomatic missions. In time, Ariosto was appointed to govern the province of Garfagnana. He carried out these duties for three years and then returned to Ferrara until his death in 1533.
Best known as the creator of the chivalric epic poem, Orlando Furioso, Ludovico Ariosto also penned pieces such as Cassaria, Suppositi, Necromancer, Lena and The Students, some of which were completed by his brother and his son.
Images: Titian, Man with a Quilted Sleeve (thought to be Ludovico Ariosto), 1510, oil on canvas, The National Gallery, London. Wikimedia Commons.
Riccardo Secchi, Statue of Ludovico Ariosto, Giardini Pubblici di Reggio nell’Emilia. Wikimedia Commons.
Vincenzo di Biagio Catena, Madonna with Saint, c.1512, oil on panel, Staatliche Museen, Berlin. Wikimedia Commons.
References: Ludovico Ariosto, Delphi Poetical Works of Ludovico Ariosto, Delphi Publishing Ltd: Hastings, 2015.
Our new rhymed translation of Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso is now available here (browseable and downloadable free for non-commercial use)
https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Italian/Ariostohome.php
With the complete set of Gustave Dore illustrations (584 items) it represents the first new fully rhymed translation, and the first so illustrated, this century.
Regards Tony Kline, Poetry in Translation website