Giuliano (1453-1478) was brother of Lorenzo il Magnifico and co-ruler of Florence. he played role of the patron of the art in the family, and was interested more in horsemanship and hunting then the Women. But just until he met beautiful noblewomen Simonetta Vespucci (1453-1476). Immediately he fell deeply in love and She became his Lady and Mistress. he started serving Her in accordance with the ideals of courtly love. She married Marco Vespucci, another man from the circle of the Medici. Giuliano organized Her wedding at the main square in Florence and also held the Wedding reception in his villa.
He made sure that Medici court poets and painters immortalised Simonetta in Her own lifetime as the most beautiful Woman in Florence. In 1475 Giuliano named Simonetta to be his 'Lady of the joust' at great jousting tournament and fought under a banner with portrait of Simonetta as Pallas Athene and inscription 'The Apparelled One' (painted by Botticelli). He indeed won the tournament for his Mistress and Simonetta became a 'Queen of Beauty'.
Beautiful Simonetta died of consumption in 1476. The entire Florence was reported to mourn Her death and thousands followed Her coffin to its burial. Giuliano is assassinated two years later.
Four portraits of Giuliano de Medici |
There are four surviving Botticelli's portraits of Simonetta, who is considered today to be the most beautiful Woman of Renaissance, and no more then four portraits of Giuliano. Interestingly, Giuliano is pictured in usual, rather simple and schematic way, with eyes humbly bowed every time, whereas Simonetta portraits are teeming with details and really celebrating Her divine beauty and eroticism.