Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua

Francesco II (or IV) Gonzaga ((1466-08-10)10 August 1466 – 29 March 1519(1519-03-29)) was the ruler of the Italian city of Mantua from 1484 until his death.

Gonzaga was born in Mantua, the son of Marquess Federico I Gonzaga. He had a career as a condottiero acting as Venice's commander from 1489 to 1498. He was the commander-in-chief of the army of the Italian league in the battle of Fornovo, although under the tutorage of his more experienced uncle Ridolfo Gonzaga: although inconclusive, the battle had at least the effect of pushing Charles VIII of France's army back to the Alps. He was described as "short, pop-eyed, snub-nosed and exceptionally brave, and was regarded as the finest knight in Italy".

Later he was rival of the Venetians, as leader of the Holy League formed by Pope Julius II against them. On that occasion he was captured by the Venetians, who held him as hostage for several months and humiliated him. He only became free by giving his son Federico II as hostage to Rome. This caused his perpetual hostility towards that city, and he refused any subsequent request to return to command its army.

During his absences, Mantua was governed by his wife Isabella d'Este, whom he had married on 12 February 1490. Under their reign, Mantua knew a great age of cultural splendour, with the presence in the city of artists such as Andrea Mantegna and Jacopo Bonacolsi. Francesco had the Palace of St. Sebastian built, where Mantegna's Triumph of Caesar was eventually placed.

Beginning in 1503, he started a long relationship with Lucrezia Borgia.

On his death from syphilis contracted from prostitutes, he was succeeded by his son Federico, with Isabella acting as regent. Another son, Ferrante Gonzaga originated the branch of the Counts of Guastalla. His disease prevented him from recognizing that his wife had eclipsed him.

Isabella d'Este and Francesco Gonzaga had 8 children:

1. Eleonor Gonzaga, born 1493, died 1570. Married Francesco Maria I della Rovere Duke of Urbino.
2. Margherita, born 1496.
3. Livia, born 1501, died 1508.
4. Ippolita Gonzaga, born 1503, died 1570. Ippolita became a nun in the Dominican convent of S. Vincenzo.
5. Federico II, Duke of Mantua, born 1500, died 1540. First betrothed to Maria Palaeologina but later married her sister Margaret Palaeologina.
6. Ercole Gonzaga, born 1506, died 1565. Became a Cardinal.
7. Ferrante Gonzaga, born 1507, died 1557. Married Isabella di Capua.
8. Livia, later known as Sister Paola, born 1508, died 1569

In the 2011 Showtime series The Borgias, Francesco Gonzaga is portrayed by Irish actor Patrick O'Kane. This portrayal of the Duke of Mantua is not married to Isabella d'Este, but is instead married to a deranged woman named Bianca.