The Italian poet Matteo Maria Boiardo, Conte di Scandiano (1440-1494), is best known for his Orlando innamorato. This masterpiece is the first chivalric poem in which love is the dominant theme.

Matteo Maria Boiardo was born at Scandiano near Reggio Emilia. He went to Ferrara as a child and began classical studies. He held high positions at the court of Ferrara, particularly under the patronage of Ercole d'Este. Boiardo married Taddea dei Conti Gonzaga di Novellera in 1479. Although he preferred poetry and studies to politics, he was involved in the political events of his time as captain of the ducal forces at Modena from 1480 to 1482 and governor of Reggio from 1487 until his death on Dec. 19, 1494.

Literary Works

Boiardo's Latin eclogues, modeled on the Latin poet Virgil and written in honor of Ercole d'Este between 1463 and 1465, as well as numerous other Latin poems and translations from Latin authors, reveal...