Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini

Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane

Not on view

This portrait and its pendant (1975.1.96) represent a husband and wife of the Gozzadini family of Bologna; the family's coat of arms appears prominently in both paintings. The inscribed architectural frieze in the background, which runs across both panels, attests to the commemorative function of the portraits: VT SIT NOSTRA FORMA SVPERSTES (In order that our features may survive). Probably made to celebrate a betrothal or marriage, the portraits contain numerous allusions to love and matrimony, such as the spray of flowers, known as pinks, held by the male sitter, and the fruit (perhaps a quince) held by his wife. The pelican and phoenix at lower left of the male portrait refer respectively to charity and resurrection - Christian virtues here associated with the sacrament of marriage. In the lower right corner of the female portrait are two rabbits and a girl confronting a unicorn, the former connoting fecundity and the latter chastity.

Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini, Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane (Italian (Emilian), active late 15th century), Tempera on wood

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Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini, Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane (Italian (Emilian), active late 15th century), Tempera on wood
Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini, Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane (Italian (Emilian), active late 15th century), Tempera on wood
Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini, Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane (Italian (Emilian), active late 15th century), Tempera on wood
Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini, Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane (Italian (Emilian), active late 15th century), Tempera on wood
Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini, Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane (Italian (Emilian), active late 15th century), Tempera on wood
Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini, Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane (Italian (Emilian), active late 15th century), Tempera on wood
Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini, Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane (Italian (Emilian), active late 15th century), Tempera on wood

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