Idealised Portrait of a Lady (Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci as Nymph), ca. 1480 – 1485

Dimensions: 81.3 x 54 x min. 0.3 cm
maximum depth: 1.0 cm

Physical Description: Mixed technique on poplar

Inventory Number: 936

Acquisition: Acquired in 1849

Status: On display, 2nd upper level, Old Masters, room 13

Texts

About the Work

The fantastical accoutrements in this larger-than-life-size half-length painting of a young lady make it clear that it is not a likeness in the strict sense, but an ideal portrait in the mythological guise of a nymph. Shown in profile, the young woman displays the features of Simonetta Vespucci, the prematurely deceased mistress of Giuliano de’ Medici. The pendant on her necklace also places her in the immediate circle of the Medici, imitating a famous ancient cameo which was in that family’s collection.

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Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Idealised Portrait of a Lady (Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci as Nymph)

Painter

Sandro Botticelli

Period Produced

15th century

School

Renaissance

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Mixed technique on poplar

Material

poplar wood

Technique

mixed technique

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Old Masters 1300 - 1800

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Acquired in 1849

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

portrait

Main Motif

Persons Shown

Associated Persons and Institutions

Iconclass

Primary

61BB2(VESPUCCI,Simonetta)11(+2) historical person (VESPUCCI,Simonetta) - BB - woman - historical person (VESPUCCI,Simonetta) portrayed alone (+ all kinds of 'portrait historié': mythological portrait, allegorical portrait, 'Rollenporträt', etc.)
92L3 nymphs (in general); 'Ninfe in commune' (Ripa)
41D132 fashionable woman, 'belle'

Secondary