Giuliano de' Medici c. 1478 - 1480

Botticelli rendered this portrait of Giuliano de' Medici with oil on panel. The somber depiction of Giuliano, who was assassinated, is laden with symbols of mortality and remembrance. Note the open window, a Renaissance motif representing transition and the passage of the soul. This feature echoes through time, seen in funerary art across cultures, symbolizing a departure from the earthly realm. But, the most poignant element is the bird, a turtledove, perched near Giuliano. This bird—often associated with mourning, fidelity, and loss—engages us on a deeply subconscious level. Its presence evokes feelings of sorrow, a powerful emotional response. The turtledove motif resurfaces repeatedly in art history, evolving into a symbol of peace, yet still retaining its ties to mourning and memory. The non-linear progression of the turtledove is a testament to its endurance as a carrier of cultural memory.