In the portrait of his patron Alessandro de ‘Medici Vasari portrayed as a knight, a real lord and protector of Florence. This is clearly evidenced by the golden rod in the hands of the duke and the panorama of the city in the distance. In fact, Alessandro was characterized by a bad temper, debauchery and was a bad ruler, for which he was soon killed.
The painting reflects all the main tendencies of Mannerism – a strange pose in which the duke’s body is turned half-turned to the viewer, and the head – in profile, a complex combined background, a powerful chair on lion’s legs, vegetative and decorative elements of the background. The duke’s figure is highlighted by a cloak with a scarlet lining on which he sits.
Bulky armor makes the body of the still very young Alessandro more massive and solid, and his profile with a large nose and lips, dark finely curling hair emphasizes his nickname – Moor. There is an opinion that his mother was a black woman who served in the palace. Master perfectly succeeded in the image of blackened metal knightly armor. They seem tangibly massive, smooth and shiny.
The helmet, with its visor down, stands at the duke’s chair, facing the other side, as if he can see everything around him at once. Very impressively written out the hands of a young man – he has a beautiful shape and long thin fingers.
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