Summary

In “The Marriage Portrait of Lucrezia, Duchess of Ferrara”, Lucrezia descends the staircase to the dining hall. Her husband, Baldassare, Il Bastianino and the apprentices are gathered around the room as she enters. When they notice her entry, Alfonso claims to have been on his way to her rooms. She dismisses his concern for her health and avers that she would like to be present to see the unveiling of her portrait. When Il Bastianino removes the drop cloth from the painting, Lucrezia is taken aback by the figure she sees, a version of self that is more accurate and knowing than she could have imagined. As the group stands silently, waiting for Alfonso to state his opinion, Lucrezia looks at Jacopo. She knows that it was his hand that captured...