Portret van Giuliano de' Medici 1549 - 1575

This engraving, titled "Portret van Giuliano de' Medici", captures the likeness of a prominent figure of the Italian Renaissance, though the artist remains unknown. Giuliano de' Medici was a co-ruler of Florence during a politically turbulent time in Italy, and this portrait offers us a glimpse into the visual culture of power and identity in that era. Consider how the artist’s choices reflect and shape perceptions of Giuliano. He is depicted in profile, framed by cherubs—emphasizing nobility and perhaps divine favor. But portraits like these are never neutral; they actively construct an image of the sitter, carefully curating how he is seen and remembered. What aspects of his identity are highlighted, and what might be obscured? The subtle details in this small print—the set of his jaw, the styling of his hair—speak to the careful negotiations between personal identity and the demands of representation. It makes you wonder about the human being behind the idealized image.