The Book of the Courtier

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Focusing on the ideal behaviors of courtiers and court ladies, this influential 16th-century work offers a comprehensive view of Renaissance court life. Baldesar Castiglione, a prominent figure at the refined court of Urbino, shares insights drawn from his own experiences and friendships with notable contemporaries, including the artist Raphael, who portrayed him. This edition, translated by Thomas Hoby in 1561, significantly shaped the English concept of the "gentleman" and remains a key text on social etiquette and diplomacy of the era.