Workshop of Agnolo Bronzino - Portrait of a Baby Boy - Walters 37451

Bronzino served for several years as court painter to Cosimo I de' Medici (1519-1574), the wealthy and powerful grand duke of Tuscany. The artist painted portraits of many members of the Medici family, and this picture may represent Duke Cosimo's and Eleonora da Toledo's son Garcia, born in 1547, or another son, Ferdinando, born in 1549. Wrapped in swaddling clothes, the baby recalls representations of the infant Jesus, revealing the pious intentions of the child's parents. Importance was given to the portrayal of children during the 16th century because of the high mortality rate.
This portrait shows Bronzino's elegant and relief-like style.