Portrait Of Giovanna Tornabuoni Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449-1494)

Description of Domenico Ghirlandaio’s painting Portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni

"Portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni," painted in 1488, was not created from life - the source material for the work was a medal with the profile of a young woman, according to existing versions made for the marriage of Giovanna della Albizzi with Lorenzo Tornabuoni.

Nothing special in the history of Florentine lady is not famous, except that

The wedding of the young took place with the direct participation of Lorenzo the Magnificent personally, a relative of the groom. Celebrations were remarkable for unprecedented scope and luxury.

The author of the canvas is one of the best masters of portraiture from the Early Middle Ages from Florence Domenico Ghirlandaio. The artist worked on the board, in tempera (water-dilutable paint, the predecessor of oil paint).

In front of the viewer is one of the classic examples of Renaissance portraiture, painted in strict accordance with the laws of the genre.

The Florentine quadrocento, in the style of which the painting is executed, is expressed by particular techniques. All the canons of classical medieval painting are strictly observed. The portrait is half-length and shows the human figure in profile with his hands concentrated together. The matron’s face is calm and expressive emotions are completely absent. The costly jewelry on her chest, a brooch with precious stones worn on a silk thread, is clearly visible.

Giovanna is combed according to medieval fashion, dressed in a luxurious outfit. It should be noted that her appearance and body proportions are clearly idealized, so as not to violate the prescribed laws of style.

The composition of the portrait is as follows: near as possible and far as possible. The female figure is located closer to the viewer. Behind her, in a distant distance, is a shallow niche with several objects - a coral rosary fastened to the upper shelf, a tablet with the words of an old Roman poet carved on it, and a half-opened prayer book. The exquisite set testifies to the exquisite taste and genuine aristocratism of its owner.

The portrait is strikingly different from the familiar to modern viewers, the later works in this style. We can say with confidence that in this case, the viewer is dealing with the idealized image of a venerable lady. Her facial features are like a mask, carefully traced according to the existing rules. It is doubtful that in life Giovanna really had such an unnaturally elongated neck.

The original is kept in Spain, in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid.