Cosimo de' Medici 1544

Editor: This engraving, Cosimo de' Medici by Niccolò della Casa, is striking! The details in the armor are amazing. What are your thoughts on the composition of this portrait? Curator: Note how the dense, meticulous hatching defines form and texture, creating visual interest across the surface. Consider the strategic use of line to articulate the subject’s status through symbolic objects. Editor: The lines do create a sense of depth, especially in the armor. I appreciate seeing the work in this new light. Curator: Indeed. Such formal elements powerfully convey meaning, don't you think?