Isabella Clara Eugenia
1566 - 1633

Madonnas

Eleonora de Toledo, Duchess of Florence and Siena

Born 1522, Died December 18, 1562

Eleonora of Toledo, the daughter of Don Pedro de Toledo, Spanish viceroy of Naples (which had come under Spanish rule a few years earlier), married Cosimo de Medici, in what was to be a political match to further cement his ties with the House of Hapsburg, of which Emperor Charles V was the leader. As it is, this marriage turned out to be much more than a mere political match, resulting in a deep faithfulness to each other that was extraordinary for this era, increasing the Medici wealth, patronage of the arts, and changing the landscape of the city of Florence.

After the exile of the Medici Family in the beginning years of the sixteenth century, Florence was in a state of change, as the previous duke, Alessandro de Medici, who was not well-loved by the populace, had been assassinated in 1537. The next duke, from a cadet branch of the Medici family, was choosen to take over rule of Florence. Despite his young age, he showed political acumen and ambition.

In an effort to make his political position secure, he tried to obtain the hand of Margaret (later of Parma), the illegitimate daughter of Charles V, in marriage. When he failed to do so, he next turned his sight on other candidates.

A few years earlier, in 1535 on a state visit, he had met the daughters of Don Pedro de Toledo. As was the custom, Don Pedro insisted on his eldest daughter Isabella, but Cosimo succeeded in marrying Eleonora, the second daughter. She was noted for her classical beauty and regal bearing. Accordingly, they were married in proxy on January 29, 1538, and Eleonora officially was received into Florence on June 29, 1538.

Even though Eleonora de Toledo was always bejewelled and dressed in beautiful clothes, she had an austere and aloof personality in public, due to her Spanish upbringing. She also preferred to speak Spanish and surround herself with Spainards, who Cosimo wisely did not allow to become involved in Florentine politics. She did love her children, and remained on good terms with her mother-in-law Maria Salviati, who was in charge of the children whenever the ducal couple were away traveling. She also loved her husband deeply, eagerly awaiting his letters when he was away.

The Duchess bought a large dowry with her, as her family were wealthy. What was unusual, though, was that she retained financial control over her dowry, and increased her private wealth by financial dealings in real estate, money loaning, and trade in food supply. The couple were careful to specify that control of their wealth would remain in the hands of their family after their death.

Not only did they benefit financially, but the family grew, with the birth of Maria in 1540 and the last one, Pietro, born in 1554. To accomodate the growing size of the family, the Duchess purchased Palazzo Pitti, which was renovated by Vasari. Still, the palazzo was not enough to accomodate the family and the growing court, and so she bought the Boboli Palace, which was unfinished, from the Pitti family as well as surrounding land and houses.

As the years went by, though, Eleonora's health declined to due to constant childbearing. The first symptoms of tubercolosis showed up around 1550, and was exacerbated by constant traveling due to state and economic interests. She also suffered personal losses, with the death of her first child Maria in 1557 and another daughter, Lucrezia, Duchess of Ferrara, in 1561 under mysterious circumstances. Her physical decline is poignantly evident in various portraits by Angolo Bronzino, the court painter.

In November 1562, the ducal couple embarked on a trip to Maremma, Leghorn and Pisa, to inspect the fortifications. It was hoped that the travel would do the Duchess some good. Their three sons, Giovanni, Ferdinando and Garcia insisted on accompanying them, even the doctors had warned against this due to malaria in the region. Sadly, the sons became ill, and the Duchess spent many days at their beside nursing them. Giovanni and Garcia died, and a short time later their mother followed them to the grave. Only Ferdinando survived.

The Duke mourned her death, and thereafter his personality became more gloomy and reclusive.

References

• The Medici Women (Donne di Casa Medici)
  intro. by Franco Cardini
  Politics and History, No. 13 (English edition)
  VINCENTO RITA