Portrait of a Florentine Nobleman 1546

Francesco Salviati painted this portrait of a Florentine nobleman in oil on panel, sometime in the mid-16th century. The most striking element is surely the nobleman’s luxurious black velvet jacket. Notice how Salviati's detailed brushwork captures the fabric's plush texture and deep folds. Velvet was made by specialist weavers using complex looms. The skills, labor, and time involved meant that owning even a single velvet garment signaled wealth and status. Salviati would have spent many hours layering paint to create the effect of light on the velvet. The subtle gradations of tone give the fabric depth and weight. Consider too, the nobleman’s leather gloves and the rich colors in the background landscape. Each element speaks to the value placed on skilled craftsmanship during the Renaissance. By drawing our attention to these details, Salviati reminds us that even a portrait is as much about materials and making as it is about capturing a likeness.