19th C. Painting; 17th C. Frame
a portrait after the original, Un ritratto dell`artista Giampaolo Pace di Giovanni Dalle Bande Nere, now housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. From an early age, he demonstrated great interest and ability in physical activity and especially the martial arts of the age: horse-back riding, sword-fighting, etc. He committed his first murder at the age of 12, and was twice banished from the city of Florence for his unruly behavior. Giovanni became a condottiere, or mercenary military captain, in the employ of Pope Leo X. As a symbol of mourning for the death of Pope Leo X (December 1, 1521), Giovanni added black bands to his insignia, whence comes his nick-name, Giovanni dalle Bande Nere (or Giovanni of the Black Bands). The painting, relined, a 19th cen. copy, the giltwood and gesso frame from the 17th cen.
