Il Bibbiena ‘moccicone’: l’autoironia e il classicismo come ingredienti del perfetto segretario e cortigiano

Bernardo Dovizi, one of the most famous secretaries of the early Italian Reinassance, is best known for his literary works and for being the patron of Raffaello rather than for his endeavors in diplomacy. By deciding to follow the interests of Giovanni de’ Medici, Dovizi made some poor political decisions in his career but, in spite of this, he cunningly managed to get his patron become the Pope. The "Calandra" is a work that depicts well the author’s ideas, in between parody and classicism. From his works, Epistolario and Ricordi, it appears that the main strength of Dovizi is his irony, through which he manages to become almost an accomplice with his patron.
Alongside with the iconological choice of the frescoes of his Stufetta and Loggia in the Vatican, he assumes the posture of the secretary-jester, as it was portrayed by Baldassarre Castiglione in "The Book of the Courtier": the satyr that washes into the room, used as bathroom, corresponds to the most famous pose of the patron who insists on these burlesque and mocking characteristics, although relating to Ovid and Plato. Bibbiena seems to be aware of how much the man that exceeds in praise himself appears unbearable, therefore, in his relations with members of the ruling class, he often assumes a playful attitude. In the Rome of Leo X, because of the Socratic 'serio ludere', such attitude was accepted and admired. The best instruments of Bibbiena are the pleasantness and a careful selection of humanistic ideals. Such ideals were those that suited better the environment in which he, the courtier, had to operate, and were used in his works.