Portrait of a Woman c. late 16th century

Alfonso Ruspagiari created this bronze oval relief, "Portrait of a Woman," sometime in the mid-16th century. During this period, the Renaissance was in full bloom, and portraiture was increasingly used to convey status and power. Looking at this portrait, we see a woman adorned with flowers and pearls, symbols of wealth and status. But consider, too, the limitations placed on women in the 16th century. Their identities were often tied to their roles within the family and court, and portraits like these served to reinforce those societal expectations. Ruspagiari's choice to portray this woman in profile is also telling. While frontal portraits were typically reserved for men, the profile view, and the small scale of the relief, can evoke a sense of intimacy and perhaps vulnerability. It's a reminder of the complex negotiations of identity that took place during the Renaissance, as individuals sought to express themselves within the constraints of social norms.