Bronzino's Lodovico Capponi

A young aristocrat named Lodovico Capponi is depicted in a painting by Agnolo Bronzino wearing black and white, his family's armorial colors. He holds a cameo that partially conceals the inscription "sorte," alluding to the obscurity of fate. Lodovico fell in love with a girl intended for one of his cousins, but Duke Cosimo relented and commanded their wedding to be celebrated within twenty-four hours.

Format: Hardback
Length: 72 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2023
Publisher: D Giles Ltd

Painted by Agnolo Bronzino (Agnolo di Cosimo) (Italian,1503–1572) ca. 1550–55, the young aristocrat is Lodovico Capponi (b. 1533), a page at the Medici court. As was his custom, he wears black and white, his family's armorial colors. His right index finger partially conceals the cameo he holds, revealing only the inscription sorte (fate or fortune) — an ingenious allusion to the obscurity of fate. In the mid 1550s, Lodovico fell in love with a girl whom Duke Cosimo had intended for one of his cousins. After nearly three years of opposition, Cosimo suddenly relented, but he commanded that their wedding be celebrated within twenty-four hours.

The portrait is a remarkable example of Bronzino's skill as a painter and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects. Capponi is depicted with a sense of elegance and grace, his features sharp and defined. The use of black and white, along with the subtle contrast between light and shadow, adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding the cameo. The inscription sorte, which refers to the uncertainty of fate, is a clever allusion to the tumultuous nature of the time in which Bronzino lived. Lodovico Capponi's story is a testament to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The portrait of Lodovico Capponi by Agnolo Bronzino is a masterpiece of Renaissance art that continues to captivate viewers today. Its intricate details, bold colors, and powerful symbolism make it a timeless piece that reflects the complexities of the Italian Renaissance. The young aristocrat's portrayal as a page at the Medici court adds to the portrait's historical significance, as he was a key figure in the political and social dynamics of the time. Bronzino's use of black and white, along with the cameo's inscription, creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that adds to the portrait's overall impact.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 195 x 245 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913875350