Cosimo I Medici. Florence, circa 1580. School of Alessandro Allori.

Cosimo I Medici. Florence, circa 1580. School of Alessandro Allori.

XVI century

Oil on wood panel.

91cm x 69cm

The portrait of Cosimo I (1519 - 1574), son of Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, Duke and then Grand Duke of Florence.

The portrait derives from a lost original by Agnolo Bronzino datable to around 1570, as evidenced by the now advanced age of the Grand Duke.

In this portrait Cosimo I is depicted in half-length, three-quarter length, already mature, with around his neck the large chain with the emblem of the Order of the Golden Fleece, an honor conferred on him in 1546. The left arm he is leaning forward in the act of holding a white handkerchief.

Many versions were derived from this prototype which differ from each other in some details and in size. Critics identify the oldest one in a painting kept in an American private collection.

This type of portrait was often replicated and used as a diplomatic gift.