‘Per incitamento a virtù’ - Ludovico Capponi (1534-1614) en de schilderingen in zijn palazzo te Florence als aansporing tot deugd

Abstract

Ludovico Capponi (1534-1614) commissioned the painter Bernardino Poccetti (1548-1612) to decorate the Sala Grande of his palace in Florence around 1580. The subject of the elaborate programme was the political and military accomplishments of the Capponi family. By means of a text on the wall, Ludovico invites the viewer to consider these deeds as examples and incitements to virtue. He makes himself part of their virtuous history by having his own portrait painted alongside these heroic ancestors. The image of Ludovico as a perfect Florentine citizen is also displayed in his biography, written by Girolamo Muzio (1496-1576) in 1574. By highlighting Ludovico’s noble and reputable qualities, Muzio portrays him as a true gentiluomo. Through these works of art, Ludovico created his own image, and made himself the example of true Florentine citizenship.