Portrait of a Doge, Probably Pasquale Malipiero 

Gentile Bellini likely painted this portrait of Doge Pasquale Malipiero in the late 15th century, capturing the essence of Venetian power through symbolic attire. The Doge’s cap, known as the Corno Ducale, immediately strikes us. This unique headgear, a symbol of authority, evolved from the simple Phrygian cap, worn by those who were emancipated in ancient times. Consider its resemblance to the bishop's mitre, echoing ecclesiastical power and divine right, yet fashioned to assert Venice's unique, republican identity. The color of his robes, a burnt orange, is not coincidental. In a city where the play of light on water dictated much of life, colors carried weight. The Doge's attire merges the earthly with the symbolic, inviting reflection on how leaders are remembered, and on the emotional resonance of public identity through the ages.