In his first years, he was under the patronage of his uncle Carlo Malatesta and, indirectly, of the Republic of Venice.

He was the first Gonzaga to bear the title of marquis, which he obtained from Emperor Sigismund on 22 September 1433.

[2] He fought for the Papal States and the Malatestas in 1412 and 1417, respectively, and was capitano generale (commander-in-chief) of the Venetian Armies from 1434.

During his reign the famous humanist Vittorino da Feltre was invited to Mantua,[3] as well as numerous artists like Pisanello and others,[4] starting the traditional role of the city as a capital of Italian Renaissance.

[5] Cecilia Gonzaga, his daughter, was a humanist and scholar who received instruction from Vittorino.