Bronzino's portrait of Cosimo I de' Medici in armour re-examined

GNOLO DI COSIMO, known as Bronzino (1503-72), was the leading painter in mid-sixteenth-century Florence, where he served as court painter to Duke Cosimo I de' Medici (1519-74). His portraits are characterised by an intense concentration and an almost unnerving clarity - none more so than the version of Cosimo I de' Medici in armour in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney (Fig.1). In this magnificent likeness of the duke, Bronzino displays a perfectionism characteristic of his artistic style. If the duke's diverted gaze reveals a sense of anxiety in the stillyouthful ruler, his steely reserve is cleverly accentuated by his forbidding armour. Rendered with reflections, highlights and shadows, and lined with rich red velvet, Cosimo's armour is an article of transfixing interest. The portrait was commissioned by the duke as a gift for the gallery of illustrious men formed by Paolo Giovio (1483-1552) on Lake Como.1 Giovio was a Lombard historian, physician and prelate who in the last years of his life became a friend and adviser of Cosimo.2 A letter dated 30th July 1546, thanks the duke for 'the marvellous portrait of His Excellency [which] was so pleasing to the gentlemen of this [Papal] Court, and judged excellent by painters [. . .] blessed be the hand of Bronzino,