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The Book of the Courtier

1528 · 16th century · Also known as Il Cortegiano

The Book of the Courtier (Il Cortegiano) is a dialogue by the Italian diplomat Baldassare Castiglione, published in Venice in 1528. Set at the court of Duke Guidobaldo da Montefeltro in Urbino in 1507, it describes the ideal courtier and court lady, recommending grace, learning and effortless skill (sprezzatura). Translated into many languages, it shaped ideas of gentlemanly conduct across Renaissance Europe.

The Book of the Courtier
Image: Castiglione, Baldassarre · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Mentioned in 1 state history

Duchy of Urbino

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). The Book of the Courtier. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/the-book-of-the-courtier
MLA
“The Book of the Courtier.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/the-book-of-the-courtier. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “The Book of the Courtier.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/the-book-of-the-courtier.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘The Book of the Courtier’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/the-book-of-the-courtier (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻