Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci

"Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci" is an exquisite oil painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Piero di Cosimo, believed to have been created around 1480 or 1490. This masterpiece is currently displayed at the Musée Condé in Chantilly, France.

Simonetta Vespucci was a noblewoman from Genoa who gained fame in Florence for her stunning beauty. She married Marco Vespucci of Florence at a young age and, sadly, passed away at just 23 years old in 1476. Her beauty and untimely death turned her into a legend, inspiring numerous artists, including the renowned Sandro Botticelli.

The painting captures a young woman in profile, with her breasts exposed and a snake draped around her neck. The artwork is rich in symbolism: dark clouds hint at her premature death, a dead tree symbolizes mortality, and an inscription at the base of the painting names Simonetta. However, there are varied interpretations of the subject's identity—some suggest she could be Cleopatra or Proserpina, based on the symbolic elements.

Piero di Cosimo's style in this painting contrasts dark, foreboding elements like the clouds with the pure, serene profile of the young woman. The inscription and imagery have been extensively analyzed by art historians. The depiction of Simonetta's features and attire is consistent with 15th-century fashion.

There is some debate over the accuracy of this portrait in representing Simonetta Vespucci, as it was created around 14 years after her death. The Musée Condé itself questions the identification of the subject, proposing that the painting may not fully depict Simonetta Vespucci. They also suggest that the inscription might have been added later.