Angelo Bronzino - Portrait of Eleonor of Toledo with her son Giovanni de Medici

Title: Portrait of Eleonor of Toledo with her son Giovanni de Medici (Eleonora di Toledy col figlio Giovanni)
Artist: Angelo Bronzino (1503-1572)
Date: 1545
Medium: Oil on wood panel
Dimensions: 115 x 96 cm

The portrait depicts Eleonor of Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I de Medici, ruler of Florence, sitting with her hand resting on the shoulder of her son, the heir. The portrait seems cold and rigid (blue background, dark earthy colors used, formal dressing, stern facial expressions) without the warmth typically expected of a portrait of mother and child. Such distancing is typical of the Mannerist school’s rejection of naturalism. So is Eleanor’s elongated hand in the foreground. The painter’s skill is demonstrated by how well reproduced are Eleanor’s gown of elaborate brocaded velvet with gold weft loops, her belt with pearls and her jewelry, as well as her son’s golden threaded, blue shirt.