Rome was rife with rumours and scandal, central to them all were the Borgias. The husband of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfonso of Aragon, who was the illegitimate son of the King of Naples was murdered. One day, while walking up the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, Alfonso was attacked by unidentified assailants. He survived the attack and was cared for by the Pope’s physicians. However, while recovering from his ordeal he was strangled in his bed. Many, including his grieving widow Lucrezia, believed Cesare guilty of his murder.
As reward for his military assistance to Cesare Borgia, Leonardo had hoped His Holiness may have shown him favour and commissioned a work from him. But, alas, there had been not a single approach for a commission since arriving in Rome.
As purchaser for Leonardo’s household
