"The Cosimo I De' Medici" by Agnolo Bronzino: Demand Skill

“Art, freedom and creativity will change society faster than politics.” – Victor Pinchuk.

Art is more than a piece of work, it is used to transfer a message either of emotion or of the creativity of the author. Throughout history, there have been many famous artists who have affected future generations significantly. One of those artists was Agnolo Bronzino. His use of color was what set him apart from other painters of his time, the darker background contrasting with the subjects of his works, fairer skin and the vibrancy of the clothing.

In one of his most prominent works, Cosimo I de' Medici he displays the prominence and wealth of the Medici family. With such a detailed piece of work, it could almost be a photograph. Some of the techniques used in his paintings were the masterful use of light and shadow around the face to bring Medici into more lifelike focus making the viewer feel as though they were in the room watching such a powerful man rule Italy. Bronzino’s skill was much sought after and many pieces remain preserved some displayed at the Met in New York.

The Cosimo I de' Medici was completed in 1545 and recognized to have made created in the Villa of Poggio a Caino. As portraits at the time were created for special reasons either as gifts to intimate relations or as a show of wealth, this portrait was made to show Cosimo’s power and cool composure. His armor shining and reflecting bringing more light and life to the portrait. With the armor described as white to represent his worthiness to rule over the people of the lower classes. Cosimo’s demeanor is presented as proud in this portrait, so that when wealthy aristocrats visited they would see that he and his family were meant to make an impact on time.

The portrait was undoubtedly one of his finest works of art. It was painstakingly created with oil on wood. Bronzino’s other works are similar in some aspects, but none have subjects that are of such power and influential figures as Cosimo. This portrait seems to be a political painting to show not only his influence but his strength in the face of the turmoil in Spain. Bronzino spent the last 30 years of his life as a commissioned court painter for the Medici family. So throughout all that time, he perfected the use of hue, vibrancy, and saturation to make his pieces of art the perfect masterpieces they are. Many copies of this piece have survived and it is believed that there were at least 20 versions or copies sent out as a political stunt of the time. Many of his works while working for the Medici family became his legacy.

All of Bronzino’s paintings are often described as superbly realistic, and his painting changed the course of portraits in history. Portraits were mostly made as gifts beforehand and afterward, the standard was raised men and women wanted more realistic works.