Guiliano de'Medici

This is my reproduction of one of my favorite paintings, portrait of Guiliano de'Medici by Sandro Botticelli.

Two changes were made with my painting: 1, I added a bit of a highlight on his hair; 2, I don't like the bird, so I didn't paint it.

About this painting: This is my favorite painting, the one which got me into art history, the Medici family, and the most brilliant early Florentine Renaissance... (and a BA in art history if I may so vain to add). I saw this painting at art history 101, I don't know who the sitter was, nor the artist. I guess it's like love on the first sight. I want to know more about this painting, so I dig in and never stop.

This painting is very likely done after Guiliano was killed in 1478 during the Pazzi conspiracy, ordered by brother Lorenzo il Magnifico. The half opened window, the downcast eyes, the bird at the bottom, all symbolize death and mourning. It was probably a very popular painting after it's finished, because there're at least two other copies survived. Botticelli was already a Medici favorite, and no doubt very expensive to hire. Guiliano was a likable character, after his death, it's natural for his friend to order his portrait to memorize. Thus the original by Botticelli, and two copies either from his workshop or from other lesser artists.

The original is a permanent collection at National Gallery of Art in Washington.

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One peculiar incident during the painting, because I don't like the bird, so I decided I'll either remove it or change into something that'd represent myself. Some animal or object that I consider associate with me. Yet, after searching my memory, I couldn't find anything... object, animal... that I identify with. It is rather odd.