VOLUME 1

New York: E. P. Dutton & Co, 1923.
Julia Cartwright

Hardcover, with red boards;
light general age and wear.
stiff binding and spine.
deckled rough edges
Clean free end papers, no writings or ink note markings.
Vol. I - xxiv + 392 + 3 with bw frontis and 8 additional bw plates, most with tissue guards.   

Volume 1 biography of Isabella D'este, an influential member of the nobility and a patron of the arts in Renaissance Italy. "Isabella D'este played a prominent role in society throughout her lifetime. Despite the challenge of being a female member of the nobility during the Renaissance, 

D'este was still able to establish such a status for herself that she is still remembered to this day. She married into the position of Marchionessa of Mantua, and was able to assert her authority from her place in Francesco's shadow.
D'Este utilised letters and social networking to benefit the Gonzaga court and to further her countless relations within Italy and abroad. Isabella also exhibited her vast wealth through arts and fashion to gain the admiration of her followers and the aristocracy alike, and as a result was an influential patron to many famous Renaissance artists. With the advantage of a broad education Isabella d'Este was able to leave her mark on a male-orientated world and cement herself a dignified place in history." (from CLIO journal) Cartwright's biography continues to be the definitive history of D'este's life.