Fotoreproductie van een prent van een portret van Piero di Cosimo before 1863

This reproduction by Giacomo Brogi captures the likeness of Piero di Cosimo. He is seen wearing a distinctive cap, which in Renaissance Florence, was more than mere headwear; it signified civic identity and belonging. Such caps reappear throughout art history, echoing in various forms across cultures. Think of the Phrygian cap, worn by freed slaves in ancient Rome, or the bonnets donned during the French Revolution, each a symbol of liberty and defiance. In this portrait, the cap’s presence speaks to a deeper psychological need: the desire to belong, to define oneself within a community. It invites us to reflect on how we use clothing and symbols to negotiate our place in the world, a tradition that continues to shape our identities today. This is not merely a portrait, but a mirror reflecting our own timeless quest for identity.