Italian poet and diplomat Matteo Maria Boiardo, also a classical humanist, was born at, or near, Scandiano (today's province of Reggio Emilia); the son of Giovanni di Feltrino and Lucia Strozzi, he is of noble lineage, ranking as Count of Scandiano, with seignorial power over Arceto, Casalgrande, Gesso, and Torricella.

Boiardo is an ideal example of a gifted and accomplished courtier, possessing at the same time a manly heart and deep humanistic learning.

At an early age he had entered the University of Ferrara, acquired a good knowledge of Greek and Latin, and of some Oriental languages, and was in due time conferred a doctor of philosophy and in law.

Up to the year of his marriage to Taddea Gonzaga, the daughter of the Count of Novellara, in 1472, he had received many marks of favor from Borso d'Este, duke of Ferrara, having been sent to meet Emperor Frederick III in 1469, and afterwards visiting Pope Paul II in the train of Borso in 1471.

In 1473, he had joined the retinue that escorted Eleonora of Aragon, the daughter of Ferdinand I, to meet her spouse, Ercole, at Ferrara.

Five years later, Boiardo had been invested with the governorship of Reggio, an office which he will fill with noted success till his death, except for a brief interval (1481–86) when he is governor of Modena.

In his youth Boiardo had been a successful imitator of Petrarca's love poems.

More serious attempts had followed with the Istoria Imperiale, some adaptations of Nepos, Apuleius, Herodotus, Xenophon, etc., and his Eclogues.

These are followed by a comedy, Il Timone, perhaps in 1487.

He is best remembered, however, for his grandiose poem of chivalry and romance Orlando Innamorato.

Almost all Boiardo's works, and especially the Orlando Innamorato, are composed for the amusement of Duke Ercole and his court, though not written within its precincts.

His practice, it is said, was to retire to Scandiano or some other of his estates, and there to devote himself to composition, and historians state that he took care to insert in the descriptions of his poem those of the agreeable environs of his chateau, and that the greater part of the names of his heroes, as Mandricardo, Gradasse, Sacripant, Agramant and others, were merely the names of some of his peasants, which, from their uncouthness, appeared to him proper to be given to Saracen warriors.

It is uncertain when Boiardo wrote a poem about a self-composed, unusual Tarot game, which is of relevance to Tarot research of fifteenth century and the question of when Tarot developed.

A deck, which will be produced according to the poem (probably shortly after Boiardo's death) has partially survived.

Mediterranean Southwest Europe (1492–1503 CE): Cultural Renaissance, Religious and Political Conflict, and Artistic Flourishing

The era 1492–1503 CE in Mediterranean Southwest Europe is characterized by remarkable cultural advancements, artistic and architectural achievements, intense religious and political conflicts, and important scholarly innovations.

Artistic and Architectural Achievements

Fra Giovanni Giocondo, a skilled engineer and architect, plays a significant role during this period. His earlier engagements include Verona's Loggia del Consiglio and fortifications in Treviso. Giocondo significantly impacts Venice with his successful redirection of the Brenta River, enhancing the city's safety and economic stability. His scholarly contributions include detailed studies of Roman antiquities, influencing Renaissance architectural thought profoundly.

Architecturally, the exuberant Spanish Gothic, known as the Isabelline style, emerges prominently, exemplified by Valladolid’s Colegio di San Gregorio, characterized by elaborate decoration and intricate designs influenced by Moorish Mudejar artistry.

Religious and Political Conflicts

The Italian Wars (1494–1559) significantly reshape the political landscape. Initiated by dynastic claims, particularly those of Charles VIII of France and Louis XII, these conflicts expand into broader European power struggles involving Spain, France, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Papal States. These wars reflect shifting alliances and continual betrayals, underscoring the volatility of political power in the region.

Simultaneously, the completion of the Reconquista in Spain with the fall of Granada in 1492 marks a critical religious and political milestone. This era sees increased religious tensions, reflected in the completion and compilation of the Extravagantes communes, further solidifying canon law within Christendom.

Literary and Scholarly Innovations

The printing of the first complete Hebrew Bible at Soncino in 1488 by Joshua Solomon ben Israel Nathan Soncino represents a significant scholarly achievement, symbolizing advancements in printing technology and religious scholarship.

Matteo Maria Boiardo's epic poem, Orlando Innamorato, continues to influence literary circles significantly, merging chivalric romance with classical humanist traditions, setting a foundation for later Renaissance literature.

Economic and Technological Advances

Economic growth, particularly in Genoa, is illustrated by the emergence of modern lottery systems. Initially a political mechanism, the Genoese lottery evolves into a widespread financial and gambling institution across Europe, impacting both economic and cultural practices.

Legacy of the Era

The era 1492–1503 CE in Mediterranean Southwest Europe encapsulates an essential transition from medieval structures to Renaissance innovations, significantly shaped by cultural, artistic, religious, and political developments. This dynamic period lays crucial foundations for Europe's intellectual, cultural, and political landscapes well into the sixteenth century.v

The poet and diplomat Matteo Maria Boiardo, well known for his still-unfinished Orlando Innamorata, dies on December 19, 1494.

As a classical humanist, he had translated Herodotus, Xenophon, and Apuleius, and wrote the poetry of his “Canzoniere” for Antonia Caprara in the tradition of Petrarch.