Allegorical Portrait of a Woman (Simonetta Vespucci?) (workshop) Alessandro Botticelli (1445-1510)

This painting, attributed to the workshop of Botticelli, is an allegorical portrait of a woman, possibly Simonetta Vespucci, a renowned beauty of Florence. The subject is depicted in profile, gazing to the left with a serene expression. Her long, wavy auburn hair is elaborately styled and adorned with a pearl-studded headdress featuring a black feather. She wears a green gown, and around her neck is a richly decorated collar or band with blue, red, and gold embellishments, also studded with pearls.
The woman is shown in the act of sewing or embroidering, her hands skillfully working on a piece of fabric adorned with the same decorative pattern as her collar. This detail of needlework could symbolize domestic virtues, patience, or the creation of beauty.
The background depicts a stylized landscape with a body of water, a small island with greenery, and distant mountains or castles under a pale blue sky with soft clouds. This idealized landscape adds to the dreamlike and allegorical quality of the portrait.
The subtexts of the painting likely involve the themes of beauty, virtue, and perhaps even the ephemeral nature of life, given the association with Simonetta Vespucci, whose life was tragically cut short. The elaborate adornments and the idealized setting suggest a portrayal that transcends mere likeness, aiming to capture an essence or an ideal. The act of creation through sewing can also be interpreted as a metaphor for weaving ones destiny or crafting a lasting legacy, even in the face of mortality.