Abstract:

The article explores the so-called «Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci» by Piero di Cosimo, who was one of the most famous Renaissance painters. The work is analyzed in the context of literature, social and political structure of Florence in the second half of the XVth century, in which art and social life existed in an ongoing dialogue. The portrait is associated with Renaissance courtly lyrics. S. Vespucci transforms into a fictional, idealized character similar to Laura and Beatrice. The author concludes that the artist represented S. Vespucci as the terrestrial Venus. In this case P. di Cosimo uses a number of sources, including philosophical ideas related to Neoplatonism, the works of L. de Medici,G. Boccaccio, A. Poliziano e.t.c.

Keywords: Renaissance; Florence; Medici; Piero di Cosimo