Portrait of Maria Salviati 1540

Jacopo Pontormo painted this portrait of Maria Salviati in Florence, sometime in the first half of the 16th century. The stark contrast between light and shadow draws us to her face, framed by the white headpiece. Maria was a member of the powerful Medici family, and the somber tones reflect the weight of her social position. Her reserved expression and the book she holds suggest piety and learning, virtues highly valued in women of her status during the Renaissance. The Florentine art world was deeply shaped by the patronage of families like the Medici. They influenced artistic styles and commissioned works that reflected their political ambitions. We can look to historical records, letters, and inventories to understand the expectations placed upon women of the elite class, and how artists like Pontormo navigated the complex social landscape of their time.