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Selvaggia Sassetti (born 1470)

ca. 1487–88
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 602

The sitter of this striking portrait has been identified as the fifth daughter of the banker Francesco Sassetti and his wife (they had seven daughters in all). The occasion may have been her marriage to Simone d’Amerigo Carnesecchi in 1488. Her eye-catching necklace is made of richly symbolic materials that communicate her merits as a wife according to contemporary ideals, with pearls indicating her purity and a strand of corals representing health. The background was originally blue, which darkened as the azurite pigment aged. The fine frame is of the sixteenth century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Selvaggia Sassetti (born 1470)
  • Artist: Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi) (Italian, Florence 1452–1525 Florence)
  • Date: ca. 1487–88
  • Medium: Tempera on wood
  • Dimensions: 22 1/2 x 17 3/8 in. (57.2 x 44.1 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
  • Object Number: 32.100.71
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Tobias and the Angel, Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi) Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
Tobias and the Angel
Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi)
ca. 1479
The Burial of Saint Zenobius, Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi) Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
The Burial of Saint Zenobius
Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi)
ca. 1479
The Marriage of the Virgin, Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi) Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
The Marriage of the Virgin
Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi)
ca. 1479
Bust of a Young Man and a Boy, Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi) Italian, Metalpoint, highlighted with white gouache, on ochre prepared paper.
Returned to lender
Bust of a Young Man and a Boy
Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi)
1485–95
The Flight into Egypt, Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura) Italian, Tempera on wood
The Flight into Egypt
Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura)
1470s

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