Cecilia Gallerani 1473 – 1536

Biography

Cecilia Gallerani was born on January 1, 1473, in Milan during a period of remarkable artistic and cultural flourishing in Renaissance Italy. Her life unfolded within the sophisticated circles of the Italian nobility, where she became known for her connection to Ludovico Sforza, one of Milan’s most influential rulers. During her years in Milan, she moved through a world of power, patronage, and artistic achievement that defined the era.

Later in life, Cecilia made her home in San Giovanni in Croce, where she spent her final years. On January 1, 1536—exactly sixty-three years after her birth—she passed away at this location. Her connection to Milan’s history and the Sforza family ensured that she would be remembered as a figure of the Renaissance period.

Cecilia was laid to rest at the Chiesa di San Zavedro in San Giovanni in Croce, where her remains were interred. Though much of her personal life remains obscured by the centuries that have passed, her place in Renaissance history and her association with one of Italy’s great noble families have preserved her memory. She lived a full life spanning sixty-three years during one of history’s most vibrant cultural periods.