Artwork
Guidobaldo II della Rovere, Duke of Urbino (1514–1574), With his Armor by Filippo Negroli
Guidobaldo II della Rovere, Duke of Urbino (1514–1574), With his Armor by Filippo Negroli is an oil painting. It dates from 1582 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting depicts Guidobaldo II della Rovere (1514–1574), the Duke of Urbino, clad in a distinctive suit of armor.
About this work
Technique & Style
2 cm wide) emphasizes the sitter's costume and insignia, highlighting the artist's careful handling of metallic surfaces and decorative elements.
The painting is a miniature executed in oil on copper, a support that provides a smooth surface suited to fine detail. Dated to 1582 and attributed to an unknown Italian artist, the work portrays Guidobaldo II della Rovere in elaborate armor adorned with the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece, rendered with meticulous brushwork typical of miniature portraiture. The small format (approximately 14 cm high by 10.2 cm wide) emphasizes the sitter's costume and insignia, highlighting the artist's careful handling of metallic surfaces and decorative elements.
History & Provenance
This miniature portrait, executed in oil on copper, was created in 1582. The work depicts Guidobaldo II della Rovere, who served as the Duke of Urbino from 1514 to 1574, wearing armor crafted by Filippo Negroli and the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Because the subject died in 1574, the 1582 date of inception indicates the painting was produced posthumously.
The artist responsible for the work remains unidentified. Currently, the portrait is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Overview
This painting depicts Guidobaldo II della Rovere (1514–1574), the Duke of Urbino, clad in a distinctive suit of armor. Rendered in oil on a copper support, the portrait presents the duke with a serious demeanor, his hand resting upon a helmet. The dark background emphasizes the polished, reflective surface of his armor, which appears to gleam with intricate detail. The work captures the subject's status and the artistry of his military attire.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is Guidobaldo II della Rovere, a prominent duke whose identity is underscored by his elaborate armor. This protective suit, likely crafted by the renowned armorer Filippo Negroli, signifies not only the duke's military role but also his wealth and status. The inclusion of such a finely wrought piece of equipment suggests a deliberate emphasis on power and prestige, reflecting the sitter's position within the Italian aristocracy of the period.
Artist & collection
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