# Bust of Lorenzo de' Medici [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [VERROCCHIO, Andrea del]() - Date: 1451-1500 - Technique: Painted terracotta, height 66 cm ## Commentary Bust of Lorenzo de' Medici c. 1480 Painted terracotta, height 66 cm National Gallery of Art, Washington This bust was made possibly about 1513-20 after a model by Verrocchio. Lorenzo de' Medici, the brilliant, learned, and ruthless head of a wealthy banking family, ruled the Italian city-state of Florence in the Renaissance. This bust may copy a wax statue made to commemorate Lorenzo's survival in 1478, when an assassination plot took the life of his younger brother. The simple costume, with a distinctively Florentine padded and draped headdress, reflects Lorenzo's claim to be merely a respected citizen rather than a de facto prince. Cleaning in recent years \(completed 2006\) has brought out the original bright reds, warm flesh tones, and a light beard. The brooding face suggests the forceful intelligence behind Lorenzo's power. This haunting likeness may have been molded from his death mask. ## Related artworks - [Beheading of St John the Baptist]() - [Bust of a Young Woman]() - [Christ and Doubting Thomas \(detail\)]() - [Christ and Doubting Thomas]() - [Christ and Doubting Thomas]() - [Christ and Doubting Thomas]() - [Christ and Doubting Thomas]() - [Equestrian Statue of Colleoni \(detail\)]() - [Equestrian Statue of Colleoni \(detail\)]() - [Equestrian Statue of Colleoni]() - [Equestrian Statue of Colleoni]() - [Equestrian Statue of Colleoni]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()