Della Scala family

The della Scala dominated Verona and its territory from 1262 (election of Mastino I as capitano) until 1387 (conquest by Giangaleazzo Visconti). Their authority was further sanctioned by the grant of the Imperial vicariate in 1311. Cangrande (signore 1311-29; b. 1291), and initially his nephews Alberto II (d. 1352) and Mastino II (d. 1351), seized opportunities to expand their dominion widely in north-east Italy, but by 1337-39 all their acquisitions except Vicenza (obtained 1312) had been lost. Cangrande's reputation for courtly qualities and generosity rests on the respect accorded him by Dante, Boccaccio and other writers, though it was probably Bartolomeo (d. 1304) who first gave Dante hospitality. Benzo da Alessandria (Chancellor 1325-33) was a significant proto-humanist, and according to Vasari Cangrande employed Giotto, but the régime's chief monuments were the equestrian tombs initiated by Mastino II, the castle in Verona built for Cangrande II (1352-59) and the works carried out for his brother and murderer Cansignorio (1359-75): the Ponte delle Navi and the fountain in Piazza Erbe. In exile the della Scala never surrendered their claims to Verona; Guglielmo was briefly restored in 1404 but died suddenly; after Venice acquired Verona (1405), Brunoro (d. 1437) retained Imperial protection, though without success.

© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx