After the death of his wife, which took place in 1497, Ludovico came to allude to a secret relationship with Isabella, claiming that it was out of jealousy of his wife that the Marquis Francesco played a double game between him and the Lordship of Venice. The rumor was however promptly denied by his father Ercole.Daniela Pizzagalli, La signora del Rinascimento. Vita e splendori di Isabella d'Este alla corte di Mantova, Rizzoli, 2001, p. 137.
