# Bona Sforza

> Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania

**Wikidata**: [Q229434](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229434)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bona_Sforza)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bona-sforza

## Summary
Bona Sforza was an Italian aristocrat and human who served as the Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania. Born into the Duchy of Milan, she is historically recognized for her roles as a monarch and an art collector during her reign from 1518 until her death in 1557.

## Biography
- **Born**: February 2, 1494
- **Nationality**: Italian (associated with the Duchy of Milan and later Poland)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Serving as Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania, and acting as an art collector
- **Employer(s)**: Not applicable (Monarch/Head of State); Affiliated with the Duchy of Milan
- **Field(s)**: Aristocracy, Monarchy, Art Collecting

## Contributions
As a reigning monarch and influential figure, Bona Sforza's primary contributions were her leadership roles and cultural patronage rather than specific modern-style "products" or "papers."
- **Monarchical Leadership**: She served as Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania, holding these titles from the start of her work period in 1518 until 1556.
- **Art Collection**: She acted as a significant art collector, contributing to the cultural landscape of her time.
- **Cultural Legacy**: Her life and reign are documented through various historical records, including woodcuts (e.g., *Królowa Bona*) and portraits (e.g., by Cranach the Younger), preserving her image and status for posterity.

## FAQs
**Who was Bona Sforza?**
Bona Sforza was a member of the human species and an aristocrat who held the titles of Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania. She was born in the Duchy of Milan and is also noted as an art collector.

**When did she live and rule?**
She was born on February 2, 1494, and passed away in November 1557. Her active work period as a monarch and public figure began in 1518 and concluded in 1556.

**What was her place of origin?**
Bona Sforza originated from the Duchy of Milan, a former duchy in Italy that existed during various periods including the 15th and 16th centuries.

**How is she remembered in history?**
She is remembered as a Queen consort of Poland, an aristocrat, and an art collector. Her legacy is preserved through numerous identifiers in library catalogs, archives, and digital databases.

## Why They Matter
Bona Sforza matters as a pivotal figure in the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Italian Renaissance nobility. As an aristocrat and monarch, she bridged the political and cultural spheres of Italy and Eastern Europe during the 16th century. Her role as an art collector helped shape the cultural heritage of the region, while her reign as Queen and Grand Duchess influenced the political landscape of the era. Without her presence, the specific dynastic and cultural connections between the Duchy of Milan and the Polish-Lithuanian union during this period would have been different.

## Notable For
- Holding the dual titles of Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania.
- Being a member of the aristocracy with hereditary ties to the Duchy of Milan.
- Serving as an art collector during the 16th century.
- Having her life documented by artists such as Cranach the Younger.
- Being the subject of historical woodcuts and portraits.
- Possessing a vast array of library and archival identifiers (e.g., VIAF, GND, LCCN) reflecting her historical significance.
- Living from 1494 to 1557, a period spanning significant European political changes.

## Body

### Early Life and Origins
Bona Sforza was born on February 2, 1494. She was a human and an aristocrat, a status derived from her family's position within the nobility. Her origins are tied to the Duchy of Milan, a former duchy in Italy that was active during her lifetime. The Duchy of Milan served as the political and geographical context for her early life before her marriage and move to Poland.

### Monarchical Career
Bona Sforza ascended to the highest levels of power, becoming the Queen of Poland and the Grand Duchess of Lithuania. Her work period as a monarch began on January 1, 1518. She held these significant titles and responsibilities until her work period ended on January 1, 1556. During this time, she was a central figure in the governance and court life of the Polish-Lithuanian union. Her citizenship is associated with the entities linked to the Duchy of Milan and her role in Poland.

### Cultural Patronage and Art
Beyond her political duties, Bona Sforza was an art collector. This role allowed her to influence the cultural environment of her court. Her image was captured by notable artists of the time, including a portrait by Cranach the Younger titled "Cranach the Younger Bona Sforza.jpg." Additionally, she is depicted in a woodcut known as "Królowa Bona (drzeworyt).jpg." These visual records serve as primary sources for understanding her appearance and status.

### Historical Documentation and Legacy
The life of Bona Sforza is extensively documented across various international databases and archives. She is identified by the Wikidata item Q5 (instance of human) and has a sitelink count of 42, indicating widespread coverage in different language Wikipedias. Her name appears in numerous library catalogs and authority files, including:
- **VIAF**: 88717722, 517159233920003370100
- **GND**: 119138158
- **LCCN**: n83073803
- **BNF**: 121458465
- **ISNI**: 0000000115771623
- **NLA**: 3491
- **NLI**: 987007275776205171
- **NLP**: 9810660148305606
- **SELIBR**: 258381
- **SUDOC**: 029939313
- **WorldCat**: 0011076

She is also associated with specific identifiers such as the Open Library ID OL2472169A and the Freebase ID /m/02bbw1. Her name is recorded in various formats, including "Bona Sforza d'Aragona" and the alias "Queen Bona." An audio file of her name, "Bona Sforza Bari Italy.ogg," exists as part of the historical record.

### Death and Final Years
Bona Sforza died in November 1557. The records provide two specific dates for her death: November 19, 1557, and November 20, 1557. Her death marked the end of her life as a prominent aristocrat and monarch. Her legacy continues through the extensive digital and physical archives that preserve her name, titles, and contributions to history.

## References

1. Catalog of the German National Library
2. Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija Online
3. Integrated Authority File
4. RKDartists
5. Source
6. The Peerage
7. BnF authorities
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
11. [Source](https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/bona-sforza-regina-di-polonia)
12. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
13. Enciclopedia Treccani
14. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Bona;3879327.html)
15. Golden
16. Sejm-Wielki.pl
17. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands