Parmigianino: Portrait of Lorenzo Cybo Malaspina (1524)

(Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark)

A nice Renaissance-portrait by the Italian painter Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola (1503-1540), better known as 'Parmigianino'. The person on the painting is Lorenzo Cybo Malaspina, duke of Ferentillo (1500-1549). Lorenzo Cybo was the brother of Innocenzo Cybo, cardinal and archbishop of Genoa, and nephew of Pope Leo X (pontificate of 1513-1521). Lorenzo was made captain of the Pontifical Swiss Guard in 1523 and this portrait was probably commissioned for this occasion. Notice also the large broadsword which Lorenzo is holding. Painting from 1524.