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Borgia, Rodrigo

Spanish, died 1503

Alexander VI Pope

Biography

Rodrigo de Borja y Borja, a Spaniard, was the son of Jofré de Borja y Doms and of Isabel de Borja, sister of Calixtus III. On August 11, 1492, he was consecrated as Pope Alexander VI. He signed three papal bulls on May 4, 1493, one of which gave Spain the right to any territory discovered by Columbus. Vasari recounts Alexander VI as being enamored by small, precious objects. The master goldsmith Bernardino and the master gem sculptor Rolando Tristano produced illuminated manuscripts and jewelry according to his specifications. Although there is speculation as to whether Alexander VI did indeed own the Morse with the Trinity (c. 1400/1410, now in the NGA), it is reputed that he often wore the brooch with his ecclesiastical mantle.

Bibliography

1901
Rolfe, Frederick, Baron Corvo. Chronicles of the House of Borgia. New York, 1901.
1955
Lucas-Dubreton, J. The Borgias. New York, 1955.
1972
Galbreath, Donald Lindsay. Papal Heraldry. London, 1972: 87.
1981
Newman, Harold. An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry. London, 1981: 311.

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