Battle of Fornovo
The Battle of Fornovo (6 July 1495) was fought between Charles VIII's French army, withdrawing northward after its Italian campaign, and the League of Venice's forces under the Marquis of Mantua, Francesco II Gonzaga. Charles had approximately 9,000 men and needed to break through the League's blocking force to reach France. The battle was chaotic: the League's Stradioti light cavalry broke off to loot the French baggage train rather than press their tactical advantage, allowing Charles to complete his withdrawal. Both sides claimed victory; Gonzaga commissioned Mantegna to paint the Madonna della Vittoria to celebrate — a painting whose subject tells us more about the political interpretation of the battle than its military result.
- Year: 1495 CE
