ABSTRACT
Guidubaldo II Della Rovere, Duke of Urbino (1514–74), was forced to negotiate his identity and status with both his family and with allied courts and states throughout his life. As the son and heir of Francesco Maria I Della Rovere, he lived his youth under the shadow of his father, a warrior who wanted him to follow his path. Guidubaldo was instead interested mainly in music, literature, and theatre. While Francesco Maria I was an ally of the Gonzagas, Guidubaldo established connections with the Estes, sharing with them his humanistic and musical interests. Unlike his father, Guidubaldo organised his relational strategies by using the arts, including music (musicians, instruments, musical performances), as a means to establish connections with other rulers and to share his liberalitas and intellectual interests. This chapter investigates the importance of music, especially secular music, in Guidubaldo's construction of his identity. In particular, I discuss his use of music and music-related objects in comparison with other kinds of objects, such as literary books, paintings, animals, weapons, and armour, that he offered as gifts to persons of his rank, and that he received from them.
