Portrait of a Woman
by PIERO DI COSIMO, Paper on wood, 50 x 37 cm
She wears the veil of a married woman and black, possibly, but not necessarily a sign of widowhood. A difficult colour to achieve in dyeing, it was worn by the wealthy. The sitter is traditionally identified as Caterina Sforza, the extraordinary daughter of the duke of Milan. She was known as the Virago - the Amazon - for her military exploits.