Portrait of Cosimo I de' Medici

This portrait is full of allegorical attributes that refer to Cosimo I de’ Medici and convey a message of positive destiny, power, and fame. The medal bears a female figure supported by two spheres - an embodiment of Cosmography and, for contemporaries, an obvious reference to Cosimo. Also featured are the balls from the Medici arms.. The fire in the depth of the painting symbolizes both God’s providence and the desire for glory and action.