Giovanni Giocondo

Fra Giovanni Giocondo (c. 1433 – 1515) was an Italian architect, antiquary, archaeologist, and classical scholar.

It appears that the character of Fra Giocondo originates from 16th century Florentine silk trader named Francesco del Giocondo, who is the husband of Lisa del Giocondo, or Mona Lisa, as she is best known. It is her painting that Leonardo da Vinci is most famed for.

After assassinating Vieri de' Pazzi, Ezio Auditore da Firenze acquired a letter from Giocondo to Vieri's father.

Letter

Messer Francesco,

I have done as requested and spoken with your son. I agree with your assessment, though only in part. Yes, Vieri is brash and prone to act without forethought. And he has a habit of treating the mercenari like playthings. I've received reports of at least three men being disfigured as a result. But I do not think him, as you put it, beyond repair. Rather, I believe the solution to be a simple matter.

He seeks your approval. Your attention. These outbursts of his are a result of insecurities borne out of a sense of inadequacy. He speaks of you often and fondly and expresses a desire to be closer to you. So if he is loud and foul and angry - I believe it is simply because he wants to be noticed. He wants to be loved.

Act as you see fit, on the information I've given you here. But I must ask that we end this correspondence. Were he to discover the nature of our conversations, I fear what might become of me.

Yours in confidence,

Fra Giocondo

Source

• Assassin's Creed II