Federico II da Montefeltro (1422-1482), condottiere, became ruler of Urbino in 1444 following the assassination of his brother. In 1474 he became Duke of Urbino. He had an impressive military career, and was notable for fighting only as a mercenary rather than as an ally of other nobles. He had a bitter rivalry with Sigismondo Malatesta . On his death, he was successed by his son Guidobaldo.

Equally as impressive was his academic side. His library of manuscripts was reportedly larger than that of any European university. He was also a patron of the arts. Piero della Francesca's well known portrait of him and his Duchess hangs in the Uffizi.