Title: Pontormo
First published: 1997
Description: Pontormo's Halberdier has long been controversial. How did scholars come to identify the sitter as Duke Cosimo de' Medici and why is this open to doubt? Who was Francesco Guardi? What was the siege of Florence, and could Pontormo have made this compelling portrait during that time of deprivation and political tumult? In a fascinating piece of historical detective work, Elizabeth Cropper investigates these questions and uncovers new evidence for interpretation.

She also analyzes the portrait's relationship to other works by Pontormo, explores the importance for Pontormo of Donatello, Michelangelo, and Andrea del Sarto, and looks into Bronzino's connection with the portrait.
Subjects: J. Paul Getty Museum, Portrait painting, Italian, Criticism and interpretation, Mannerism (Art), Italian Portrait painting, Expertising, Pontormo, jacopo, 1494-1556, Portrait painting, Critique et interprétation, Peinture de portraits italienne, Expertise, Maniérisme (Art), Ritratto di Cosimo I in divisa d'alabardiere (Pontormo)
Places: Italy
People: Jacopo Carucci Pontormo (1494-ca. 1556)
LC classification: ND1329.P64 A66 1997