, with his three sons, presents a model of the
Certosa di Pavia to the Virgin (Certosa di Pavia). Born in 1388 in
Abbiategrasso at the Visconti castle, Gian Maria was the son of Gian Galeazzo and his wife Caterina, daughter of
Bernabò Visconti. They had been married since 1380 but had only managed to give birth to one child who had died a month after its birth. Gian's birth was met with celebration as the long-awaited son and heir. His parents had even made a vow to add the
epicene name "Maria" – usually considered a feminine name – to their sons' names if the
Virgin Mary would grant them children, hence he was named Gian Maria. The
Basilica church (dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary)
Santa Maria Nuova in Abbiategrasso, was built to celebrate the birth of Gian Maria. Gian Marias birth was also important in that it helped cement his fathers rule over Milan. Gian Galeazzo, while admittedly a Visconti - the family who had ruled over Milan since 1277, had gained control over Milan after overthrowing, imprisoning and poisoning his predecessor and uncle, Bernabo Visconti and his two eldest sons. Gian Marias mother Caterina was a daughter of Bernabo and thus the parents of Gian Maria were first cousins. Following his father's death of plague in 1402, the 13-year old Gian Maria assumed the title of duke under his mother's regency. The
Duchy of Milan soon disintegrated: among the various parties contending its lands, the
condottiero Facino Cane prevailed. In 1408, Gian Maria married
Antonia Malatesta of Cesena, daughter of
Andrea Malatesta. They had no issue. A plot by a party of
Milanese
Ghibellines was raised against the Duke when Facino Cane was terminally ill in
Pavia, and Gian Maria was assassinated in front of the church of
San Gottardo in Milan. The dying Facino had his officers swear to support
Filippo Maria, Gian Maria's brother, who in fact succeeded him. ==In literature==