the work of VALTURIOin particular. Under his instruction
ALBERTIreplanned San Francesco in Rimini as a monu-
ment for the Malatesta family (see TEMPIO MALATESTIANO).
He was for many years infatuated with Isotta degli Atti,
whom he married in 1456 after two previous marriages;
the death of his second wife, Polissena Sforza, in 1449 led
his many enemies to suggest that she had been poisoned.
Malatesta family The rulers of Rimini and neighbouring
towns in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Malatesta were
originally feudal lords and CONDOTTIERIin the service of
the papacy. Veruchio Malatesta became lord of the city
after expelling the imperial faction (1295), and from 1355
his descendants ruled Rimini as papal vicars, loyal
servants of the papacy until Sigismondo MALATESTArashly
challenged papal authority. Despite the efforts of Roberto
(died 1482) the power of the Malatesta declined and they
became increasingly dependent on Venice. Pandolfo V’s
brutal regime provoked a rebellion in Rimini (1498) and
Pandolfo was expelled by Cesare BORGIA(1500). The fam-
ily later made two unsuccessful attempts to reestablish
itself in Rimini (1522–23, 1527–28).
Maldonado, Juan (c. 1485–1554) Spanish humanist
writer
Maldonado’s neo-Latin treatises covered a wide range of
genres including poetry, drama, and history. An avid ad-
mirer of ERASMUS, he was at the forefront in promoting the
cause of liberal humanism in Spain with his Paraensis ad
politiores literas adversus grammaticorum vulgum (Recom-
mendation in favour of more elegant literature against the
rabble of grammarians; 1529). Other subjects on which he
wrote included Spain’s adventure in the New World and
the Revolt of the COMUNEROS. He is sometimes confused
with the Spanish Jesuit scholar and exegete Juan Maldon-
ado (Maldonatus; 1533–83).
Maldonado, Juan (Maldonatus) (1533–1583) Spanish
theologian
Maldonado, who is sometimes confused with his earlier
namesake, studied at Salamanca and became a Jesuit in
- From 1564 he was a professor at the Jesuit college
in Paris, where his lectures on theology were popular. In
1574 the Sorbonne accused him of heresy, but he was vin-
dicated by the bishop of Paris in 1576. His important com-
mentaries on the gospels were published posthumously
(1596–97).
Malherbe, François de (1555–1628) French poet and
literary critic
Malherbe was born at Caen and after studying at the uni-
versities of Basle and Heidelberg, he took the post of sec-
retary to Henry of Angoulême, governor of Provence, in
- His first published poetic work was the baroque Les
Larmes de Saint Pierre (1587); in 1605 he became court
poet to King Henry IV in Paris. Malherbe was not a pro-
lific poet: he wrote slowly and deliberately, developing the
clear pure style that was to form the basis of French clas-
sicism, in reaction against the neologisms and Latinisms
of the PLÉIADE, which had been a major stylistic influence
in his early works. His prose writings include translations,
letters, and a number of critical works, notably a hostile
commentary on the poems of his predecessor Philippe DE-
SPORTES.Malines (Mechlin, Flemish Mechelen) A city in Antwerp
province in the Netherlands (now Belgium). Founded by
St. Rumoldus, Malines was ruled successively by the
prince-bishops of Liège (915–1333), the counts of Flan-
ders (1333–69), and Burgundy (1369–1477) before pass-
ing to the HAPSBURGS. MARGARET OF AUSTRIA held a
brilliant court at Malines (1507–30), making it not only
the capital of the Netherlands but also a center of learning
and the arts. Malines was long famed for its fine lace. The
city suffered extensive war damage in the 16th and 17th
centuries. Landmarks which have survived from the pe-
riod of the Renaissance include the cathedral of St. Ru-
moldus (13th to 15th centuries), the 14th-century cloth
hall, Margaret of Austria’s palace, and the town hall (14th
to 17th centuries).Mander, Carel van (1548–1606) Flemish painter and
writer
Born into a noble family near Kortrijk, van Mander was
taught by Lucas de HEEREand visited Rome (1573) and
Vienna (1577) before settling in Haarlem (1583). There
he opened an academy with Hendrick GOLTZIUSand Cor-
nelis CORNELISZ. in order to spread the ideas of the Italian
Renaissance. He moved to Amsterdam three years before
his death. Van Mander is best remembered as author of
Het Schilderboeck (1604), an educational handbook for
young artists largely based upon VASARI’s Lives of the
Painters (1550). Divided into three parts, Het Schilder-
boeck constitutes, despite inaccuracies, a unique guide to
northern European painters from the time of the van
Eycks to van Mander’s contemporaries. The book also in-
cludes an instructional poem summarizing the fundamen-
tals of Renaissance art as the author interpreted them,
although this had little impact upon Dutch painting of
that period. Often called the “the Dutch Vasari,” van Man-
der was a distinguished artist in his own right, producing
works in the mannerist style instilled by his Viennese
mentor Bartholomäus SPRANGER. He wrote several allegor-
ical dramas for which he also painted the scenery. His
pupils included Frans Hals.
Van Mander’s Schilderboeck is available in English
translation in the two-volume Lives of the Illustrious
Netherlandish and German Painters from the First Edition of
the ’Schilder-Boeck’ (1603–1604), ed. Hessel Miedema
(Doornspijk, Netherlands, 1994).MMaannddeerr,, CCaarreell vvaann 2 29977