Ducal Palace: north-west wall of the “Bridal Chamber or Camera Picta", which is a room located in the north-east tower of the Castle of San Giorgio in Mantua. It is famous for the cycle of frescoes that covers its walls, a masterpiece by Andrea Mantegna, created between 1465 and 1474.This wall represents “The Court” of Ludovico II Gonzaga. On the left, under the opened curtain, Ludovico sits while a secretary (perhaps Marsilio Andreasi or Raimondo Lupi di Soragna) hands him a letter. We see Rubino, Marquis Ludovico's favorite dog and symbol of loyalty, crouching. To her right, the only other person seated, is the Marquis's wife, Barbara of Brandenburg with a little girl, perhaps the youngest daughter Paola who seems to be offering her an apple. Behind Ludovico we can recognize the third-born Gianfrancesco standing, holding his hands on the shoulders of a child, perhaps the prothonotary Ludovicino. The man with the black hat is Vittorino da Feltre, tutor of the marquis and his children.Behind his mother stands Rodolfo near a woman, probably Barbarina Gonzaga. The woman behind Barbarina is perhaps a nurse of the Gonzaga house or, as some scholars maintain, Paola Malatesta, mother of Ludovico II, in monastic dress. In the first profile in the background from the left we recognize the portrait of Leon Battista Alberti. Below is Lucia, “The Court” dwarf. Standing in front of one of the fake pilasters is the probable portrait of Niccolò d'Este.In the right sector, seven courtiers, passing in front of the closed curtain, approach the family. The general theme of the Camera Picta is a political-dynastic celebration of the entire family of Ludovico II Gonzaga.Detail with Barbarina, Paola Malatesta and the dwarf.
