16th

century

Oil on panel

Italian

Portrait of Cosimo I de'Medici

Altissimo, Cristofano dell' (c.1525-1605)

The sitter is known as Cosimo the Great, largely because of his military success. He annexed the Republic of Siena to Florence in 1555 which vastly increased the size of Tuscan territory. He was elevated to the position of Grand Duke by the Emperor Charles V in 1559, having ruled as Duke since 1537. He is also known for his great patronage of artists including Michelangelo and Bronzino, and it is for this that he is chiefly remembered. He is usually shown wearing armour. This image is generally considered to show him about the age of forty, at the time when he was painted by Bronzino, although the latter’s portrait is now thought to be lost.

Schorr Collection, UK / © The Schorr Collection / Bridgeman Images

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