Bona of Savoy

Bona of Savoy, born on August tenth, fourteen forty-nine, was a prominent political figure in Renaissance Italy. As the second wife of Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Duke of Milan, she became the Duchess of Milan and played a crucial role in the political landscape of the region.

Following the tragic assassination of her husband in fourteen seventy-six, Bona stepped into the role of regent for her son, Gian Galeazzo Sforza. Her regency lasted from fourteen seventy-six to fourteen eighty-one, during which she navigated the complexities of power struggles to maintain the stability of the Sforza dynasty.

In addition to her political endeavors, Bona was a patron of the arts, commissioning the exquisite Sforza Book of Hours. This lavishly illuminated manuscript is celebrated as one of the finest surviving examples of Renaissance bookmaking, reflecting her influence and appreciation for culture.