Friends of the Uffizi - Portraits from the Court of Cosimo de’ Medici

Author Maggie O’Farrell’s 2022 historical fiction novel, The Marriage Portrait, imagines the life, marriage, and artistic depiction of one of Cosimo de’ Medici’s daughters, Lucrezia. Taking this New York Times Bestseller as inspiration, this talk looks at the importance of portraiture to 16th-century Florentines, particularly those associated with the powerful Medici Court. From Pontormo, to Bronzino, to Allori, multiple generations of artists crafted portraits with particular aesthetic qualities for demanding patrons. Dr. Emily Fenichel considers the themes, trends, and traditions central to these Renaissance portraits.