Who is the person depicted in this portrait?
kee eh eel pehr-soh-NA-joh raf-fee-goo-RA-toh een KWES-toh ree-TRAT-toh.
When viewing a portrait and the identity of the subject is not clear from the label. A common and genuinely interesting question in Italian portrait galleries.
Chi è means who is. Il personaggio is the character or person. Raffigurato is the past participle of raffigurare (to depict or portray). In questo ritratto means in this portrait.
È un autoritratto?
Is it a self-portrait?
Many artists painted themselves — Rembrandt is famous for this.
Il soggetto è identificato con certezza?
Is the subject identified with certainty?
Many historical portraits have uncertain identifications.
Che ruolo aveva questo personaggio?
What role did this person have?
To understand the social context of the portrait.
The Medici family were the most important art patrons of the Renaissance. Their patronage funded the creation of works now in the Uffizi, the Bargello, and churches throughout Florence. Without the Medici, Renaissance art as we know it might not exist.