Cosimo de' Medici (1519–1574), Duke of Florence and Grand Duke of Tuscany 1562 - 1574

This portrait of Cosimo de’ Medici was carved in Florence, most likely during his lifetime, from a single piece of lapis lazuli. Lapis, with its striking blue color, was prized as a luxury material. The stone itself dictates the appearance. Its inherent hardness would have required skilled lapidaries to slowly grind away material to reveal the Duke’s likeness in relief. Minute details were achieved through the use of specialized tools and abrasive compounds. The process required not only technical mastery, but also an intimate understanding of the stone’s structure to prevent fracturing. Grand-ducal workshops were set up to produce such precious objects. The value of the materials, combined with the labor-intensive carving, would have positioned this as an emblem of power and wealth. The very concept of the ‘workshop’ reminds us that even an intimate portrait like this one emerged from a social network of makers, and complex economic structures. Considering how it was made, alongside the elite status of its subject, gives us a fuller sense of its meaning.