During the 17th century competition from Cádiz led to
Seville’s decline.
Seville’s religious history was troubled. It was a prime
center of the activities of the SPANISH INQUISITION; Jews
were expelled as early as 1483 and altogether some 2000
suspected heretics were burned in autos da fé there during
the 1480s. In the early years of PHILIP II’s reign further
autos da fé (1559, 1560) brutally suppressed the city’s in-
cipient Protestant movement. Notable buildings from the
Renaissance period include one of the largest cathedrals in
the world (1403–1506). PACHECOestablished his painting
academy in Seville, and Francisco HERRERAthe Elder and
ROELASboth worked in the city.
Sforza, Caterina (c. 1462–1509) Milanese noblewoman,
countess of Forlì
An illegitimate daughter of Duke Galeazzo Maria SFORZA,
Caterina married (1473) Girolamo Riario, with whom she
ruled Imola and, from 1480, Forlì. After her husband’s as-
sassination (in 1488 in belated revenge for his role in the
PAZZI CONSPIRACY), Caterina fought off anyone who
threatened her rule as regent for her young son until
forced to surrender to Cesare Borgia (1500), who is said to
have raped her. She was imprisoned at Rome but released
(1501) on reliquishing claim to her lands and retired to
Florence. By her marriage (1496) to a member of a junior
branch of the Medici family, she was mother of the con-
dottiere Giovanni della Banda Nere (1498–1526), whose
son Cosimo became Grand Duke COSIMO I DE’ MEDICI.
Sforza, Francesco (I) (1401–1466) Italian condottiere
who became the first Sforza duke of Milan (1450)
After successful service in the wars of Duke Filippo Maria
Visconti of Milan, Sforza obtained the duke’s daughter as
bride (1441) and the promise of the duchy. He took pos-
session of Milan after the collapse of the AMBROSIAN RE-
PUBLIC, greatly enhancing its standing as a regional power
and embarking on important military and civil construc-
tion projects in and around the city. Leading humanists
were attracted to his court, among them Francesco
FILELFOwho wrote his Sforziade in Francesco’s honor.
Sforza, Galeazzo Maria (1444–1476) Second Sforza
duke of Milan (1466–76)
Galeazzo Maria received a thoroughgoing humanist edu-
cation at his father’s court, and in his early adult years he
was a condottiere like his father Francesco (I) SFORZA. As
duke he was a patron of music, establishing a choir for his
chapel (1472) and employing Josquin DES PRÉS. His rule
over Milan was harsh, however, and he was assassinated in
the porch of the cathedral by three Milanese noblemen,
leaving his young son Giangaleazzo under the regency of
his widow, Bona of Savoy.
Sforza, Lodovico (“Il Moro”) (1451–1508) Fourth
Sforza duke of Milan (1494–1500)
In 1481, five years after the assassination of his elder
brother Galeazzo Maria SFORZA, Lodovico usurped the re-
gency of his brother’s widow over his nephew, the young
Duke Giangaleazzo. Following the death (or possibly
murder) of Giangaleazzo, Lodovico became duke. He and
his wife Beatrice d’Este (1475–97) made the Milanese
court a magnet for artists, scholars, architects, and musi-
cians: LEONARDO DA VINCIand BRAMANTEcarried out com-
missions for him; CASTIGLIONEand the mathematician
PACIOLIwere among his protégés. Lodovico’s entangle-
ments with the political alliances and events leading up to
the French invasions of Italy brought about his downfall
when Louis XII of France captured Milan (1499).
Lodovico was definitively defeated the following year and
taken to France, where he died eight years later, still a
prisoner.Sforza family A family of prosperous farmers from
Romagna, who became dukes of Milan. Their fortunes
were made by two noted condottieri. The family’s founder
was Muzio Attendolo (1369–1424), who assumed the
name Sforza (force). His son Francesco SFORZA, also a
condottiere, was hired to protect the short-lived
AMBROSIAN REPUBLIC(1447), but having married (1441)
Bianca Maria, illegitimate daughter of the last VISCONTI
duke, instead made himself duke of Milan (1450). He gave
Milan great public works and lavish entertainments to
make his despotism acceptable. He also initiated a
tradition of patronage of learning and the arts that made
Milan a cultural beacon in the second half of the 15th
century. Francesco’s son Galeazzo SFORZAruled capably
and encouraged agriculture, commerce, communications,
learning, and the arts. After his assassination (1476) he
was succeeded by his young son Giangaleazzo (1469–94),
whose power was usurped by his ruthless and unpopular
uncle, Lodovico “il Moro” SFORZA, husband of Beatrice
d’Este (see ESTE FAMILY). Lodovico was expelled by Louis
XII of France (1499). Lodovico’s son Massimiliano was
briefly restored (1513–16) by the Swiss and then expelled
by the French and Venetians. Finally, CHARLES Vsupported
the rule (1522–35) of Massimiliano’s brother Francesco
Maria, but when Francesco died without heirs Milan
passed to Charles.
See also: SFORZA, CATERINA.
Further reading: Paul A. and Lora I. M. Merkley,
Music and Patronage in the Sforza Court (Turnhout, Bel-
gium: Brepols, 1999).sfumato The technique of effecting a gradual transition
from one color to another, practiced by many painters of
the High Renaissance. To critics such as VASARIit was an
indicator of the maturity of art as manifested in the paint-
ings of LEONARDO DA VINCIand GIORGIONE, in contrast to44338 8 SSffoorrzzaa,, CCaatteerriinnaa