Foscari, Francesco (1373–1457) Doge of Venice
(1423–57)
Foscari was born into a noble Venetian family and held
several of the highest offices in the republic before being
elected doge at the early age of 49. His expansionist poli-
cies resulted in Venice’s obtaining Bergamo and Brescia
(1428), but war with the VISCONTI FAMILYof Milan in the
1430s weakened the republic and checked its further ter-
ritorial advance. Of all Foscari’s children by his two wives,
only Jacopo survived into adulthood, and the doge’s life
after 1444, when the first accusations of corruption were
brought against his son, was darkened by Jacopo’s crimes
and exile. Jacopo died in Candia (Crete) in January 1457,
and the elderly doge was so shattered by grief that he was
unable to carry on the business of government and was
forced to resign. He died two days later. This tragedy was
the basis of Byron’s play The Two Foscari (written 1821)
and Verdi’s opera I due Foscari (1844).Fouquet, Jean (active c. 1443/47–81) French manuscript
illuminator and painter
The earliest fixed point in Fouquet’s career is his visit to
Italy (1443/47). Previous to this, it seems likely that he
studied under the Bedford Master in Paris and, possibly, in
the Netherlands. After his return home (c. 1449) he was
based in his native Tours, working primarily for membersFFoouuqquueett,, JJeeaann 1 18899FortuneIn this 16th-century woodcut the
blindfolded goddess (right) is shown turning
her wheel and standing on a revolving ball
to symbolize instability. The figure on the
left is Urania, the muse of astronomy.