[MR] History Blog: Italian Duke's Private Study

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Last week the History Blog offered a feature describing the Duke of
Urbino's private study, or *studiolo*. This tiny office and private room is
a masterpiece of rare inlaid woods, clever design, *trompe l'oeil* art, and
the sophisticated tastes of its owner.

The 15th century room is now open to the public in Urbino's Ducal Palace,
and it is a treasure. You can see several detailed views in the Blog piece,
and a brief video is linked to the story. Sadly for us, the narrator is
speaking in Italian, but the views of the room are well worth the click:
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/63879 .

Most of us are probably not familiar with Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of
Urbino, but his striking portrait is an oft-reproduced icon in books on
Italian history and art. He's the guy shown in profile with the notched
nose and the striking flat-topped red hat:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federico_da_Montefeltro#/media/File:Federico_da_Montefeltro.jpg
. Yeah, him.

The reason for the notch, and his profile, is that he was a *condottiero*,
or mercenary general, and a very successful one at that. But being a
soldier had/has its risks. Federico was severely wounded in the face
(actually during a tournament), and lost his right eye. The notch in his
nose was added by the surgeons at Federico's request to widen his remaining
eye's field of vision and prevent him being . . . well, blindsided by
assassins. It must have worked, since Federico died of natural causes in
1482 at the age of 60.

Yours Aye,

Lord Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆