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After the completion of the Visconti tomb and the death of Beatrice d'Este, Gian Cristoforo left Milan for the court of Isabella d'Este in Mantua, arriving in September 1497. Several Mantuan works, including a marble doorframe for Isabella (between her second studiolo and her grotta) and a terracotta bust of her husband Francesco II, 4th Marchese of Mantua Gonzaga have been attributed to him.
The terracotta bust of the Marquis Francesco II Gonzaga is of unquestionable value and superb craftsmanship. The rich parade armour, illustrating his role as a prince and warlord, is adorned with lightly protruding or engraved patterns, showing a highly refined iconographic scheme. The crucible work is particularly noticeable on the chest, showing a band of molten rods immersed in the fire of a brazier. Below, an eagle with its wings outstretched holds a ring in its beak, perching on weapons and the spoils of war. The right shoulder strap shows a caduceus, the symbol of reason and peace, while on the left there is a warrior showing the temple of Janus, whose open doors allude to the historical context at the time - the war being waged against Charles VIII.
This work is regarded as a cornerstone of Mantuan sculpture from the late 15th century. In fact, the quality is so outstanding that some scholars have suggested that Mantegna himself may have worked on it.
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