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Portrait of Francesco I de' Medici

Bernardo Buontalenti 1570

Audio description of the artwork

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Bernardo Buontalenti depicted Francesco I, the eldest son of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo I, with great intensity. In this state-portrait the young man is seated elegantly with the symbols of power: the crown, the sceptre and the statuette on the table bearing the coat of arms of the Municipality of Prato, as an allusion to his new role as regent.

Technical information

Author: Bernardo Buontalenti
Title: Portrait of Francesco I de' Medici
Date: 1570
Material and technique: Tempera on panel
Size: 175x128 cm
Location: Palazzo Pretorio Museum
Second Floor

The painting bears the date of 1570, the pivotal moment of the young prince’s rise to power and the time when his famous Studiolo was decorated in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. The Commission for the portrait was given to Bernardo Buontalenti, as attested by some archival documents. This is also supported by the initials on the left of the artwork which have been interpreted as B(ernardo) B(uontalenti) F(ecit). It is the elegance of the portrait, evident in particular in the mastery of the handwork and in the ability to penetrate deeply into the psychology of the subject, that indicates the artist's particular sensitivity.