Portrait of Maria de' Medici 1553

Agnolo Bronzino rendered this oil on panel portrait of Maria de’ Medici. The pearl jewelry and elaborate embroidery signal nobility and the wealth of the Medici family in Florence, but more telling is her hand placed upon her chest. This gesture resonates with the ‘modest Venus’ motif, derived from classical antiquity. Here, Venus covers her private parts with her hands in an act of coyness, while in paintings of the Madonna, her hand covers her heart, a symbol of piety. We see this motif echoed through the ages, signifying either chastity, piety, or modesty. Such a gesture can engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The slight covering gesture evokes an emotional response, perhaps a sense of protection or innocence. The gesture also speaks to the inner psychological state of the subject. In a non-linear fashion, these symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts. The gesture speaks to the shifting cultural attitudes towards the female body and the varying roles assigned to women.