nerocci1 Neroccio de Landi

The portrait presents a young woman in three-quarter view, her gaze directed slightly off-center and beyond the viewer. Her complexion is pale, rendered with subtle gradations that suggest a delicate constitution. The artist has paid particular attention to the rendering of her hair, which cascades around her shoulders in loose waves, highlighted by golden tones. A dark red band secures it at the forehead, adorned with what appears to be a jeweled clasp. Around her neck, she wears an elaborate necklace featuring a prominent pendant – a dark stone set within a decorative frame – and a second, finer chain. Her dress is of a deep crimson hue, trimmed with contrasting lighter fabric and further embellished with intricate beadwork.
The background is composed of a landscape viewed through what seems to be an arched opening or window. The scene depicts a body of water, likely a lake or river, flanked by trees and distant buildings rendered in muted tones. This backdrop creates a sense of depth while simultaneously isolating the subject within the foreground.
Subtleties in the woman’s expression suggest a contemplative mood; she does not project an overt display of emotion but rather a quiet introspection. The inclusion of the Latin inscription at the bottom, QUANTVM H0MINI FAS EST MIRA LICET ASSIVVARTE, (As much as it is permitted to man to marvel, so may art allow) hints at a self-aware commentary on the nature of portraiture and the artist’s ability to capture likeness. The pendants dark color contrasts with her fair skin and the vibrant red of her dress, potentially symbolizing hidden depths or complexities beneath an outward appearance of beauty and refinement. The landscape background, while seemingly idyllic, is somewhat indistinct, which could be interpreted as a symbolic representation of the subjects detachment from the world around her. Overall, the painting conveys a sense of restrained elegance and intellectual curiosity.