BYC's Random Funny Posting Thread! Hosts Mike & Sally

[Smoked Brisket]

 

[EmmaDonovan]

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What an odd painting. Why is he pointing to a fire in the background? What's in his hand, a plum? Why is his face expressionless?

 

[Sally PB]

What's in his hand, a plum?

My thought was it's a coin. And he's pointing at the fire in the background as if to say, "Look what I got paid to do, cause a lot of destruction."

Any art majors here? What's the story behind this painting?

 

[Molpet]

What an odd painting. Why is he pointing to a fire in the background? What's in his hand, a plum? Why is his face expressionless?

Google lens

Agnolo Bronzino (Italian, 1503–1572)
Portrait of Cosimo I de’ Medici
1537
Oil on panel
118 × 88 cm
The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Painted in the pivotal year Cosimo I de’ Medici assumed power in Florence, this portrait by Bronzino is less a likeness than a calculated projection of rule. At just seventeen, Cosimo had stepped into a volatile political vacuum following the assassination of Alessandro de’ Medici. Bronzino—already a rising star of the Florentine court—renders the young duke with unnerving composure, cloaked in the somber intricacies of black damask and seated against a backdrop charged with tension.

The sitter’s gesture is particularly enigmatic: one hand holding a medal, a symbol of dynastic legitimacy and authority; the other pointing outward, commanding the viewer’s attention—perhaps even issuing silent instructions. Behind him, a darkened landscape flickers with fire, a likely reference to the rebellion at Montemurlo that Cosimo would soon suppress, consolidating his reign with ruthless efficiency.

This is Bronzino at his most refined and psychologically astute: every fold, every contour, every chill in the sitter’s expression contributes to a portrait not only of a man, but of an emerging polit
ical force.

 

[Sally PB]

Thank you!

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Behind him, a darkened landscape flickers with fire, a likely reference to the rebellion at Montemurlo that Cosimo would soon suppress, consolidating his reign with ruthless efficiency.

Interesting - I didn't know that was a fire, I thought it was a sunrise or sunset!

 

[Smoked Brisket]

WOW. I had a feeling they're was a lot of symbolism there.
The context helps.

 

[Smoked Brisket]

Me: "Sorry I'm late. I had a breakdown on the way to work."

Boss: "Did you get your car towed?"

Me: "Car?"