When painted, this portrait of Lorenzo de’ Medici’s younger brother must have been incomparably lifelike. Verrocchio, one of the creative geniuses of the Renaissance, not only suggests movement and expression but also cleverly contrasts Giuliano’s noble features—"in the beautiful moment of the springtime of life"—with the "horrible face of Medusa" on his armor, as described by the Medicean author Poliziano in his poem celebrating Giuliano’s victory at a tournament held in January 1475 in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence. (Verrocchio designed Giuliano’s helmet.) Poliziano’s description of Giuliano as having a robust physique, alert gaze, and proud face are incorporated into this extraordinary portrait.
