Priya Kapoor
Cesare Borgia was a key political figure in Renaissance Italy during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. He was the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI and was known for his cruelty and womanizing. While there are not many portraits of Cesare Borgia, there is one by Altobello Melone from the early sixteenth century, now displayed at the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo. Another possible portrait of Cesare Borgia from around 1500-10 hangs in the Palazzo Venezia in Rome. Interestingly, some have noted the resemblance between portraits of Borgia and depictions of Jesus Christ, with long brown hair, a brown beard, and defined features. However, the theory that Jesus' portrayal changed to reflect Borgia is disputed due to the existence of earlier artwork depicting Jesus in a similar manner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Portraits | 2 |
| Names of Portraits | Profile portrait of Cesare Borgia, Altobello Melone's portrait of Cesare Borgia |
| Location of Portraits | Palazzo Venezia in Rome, Accademia Carrara in Bergamo |
| Date of Portraits | c. 1500–10, circa 1513 |
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What You'll Learn
Altobello Melone's portrait of Cesare Borgia
While there is no definitive answer to how many portraits of Cesare Borgia were ever painted, one of the most famous paintings thought to be a portrait of Cesare Borgia is "Portrait of a Gentleman", painted by Altobello Melone in 1513. The painting is an oil on wood panel and is kept in the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo. The attribution to Altobello Melone was first made in 1871 and was confirmed in 1955 by Mina Gregori, who compared the portrait in an eccentric style to Melone's "The Road to Emmaus".
The portrait is believed to be that of Cesare Borgia due to its resemblance to other images of him from the period, which bear a striking similarity to depictions of Christ painted around the same time. Cesare Borgia was thought to be the inspiration for the codified image of a Latinized Jesus established by the pope. His friendship with Leonardo da Vinci may have also contributed to the popularization of a particular depiction of Jesus that echoed Cesare's appearance.
The portrait by Altobello Melone is one of the most famous paintings from the collection of Count Guglielmo Lochis. Three hundred years after the portrait was painted, the Borgia family ordered a copy from Pelagio Palagi, which was discussed at length by Antoine-Claude Pasquin.
The original painting by Altobello Melone can be purchased as a reproduction or a print from various online retailers. The reproductions are hand-painted with oil on canvas and are created to museum quality, with additional blank canvas added for stretching. The prints, on the other hand, are created using giclée printing technology, which captures exceptional detail and showcases vivid colors and intricate details.
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Cesare Borgia's friendship with Leonardo da Vinci
A search for "how many portraits of Cesare Borgia were ever painted" reveals that there are no known contemporary portraits of Cesare Borgia that have been definitively identified. While this lack of visual representation makes it challenging to form a direct connection between Borgia and a specific artistic subject, it is known that he had a close association with the renowned artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci. Their friendship offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of their lives during the Italian Renaissance.
Cesare Borgia and Leonardo da Vinci's friendship began in 1502 when they first met in Milan. At the time, Cesare Borgia was a prominent figure in Italian politics and the son of Pope Alexander VI. He had just been appointed as the valiant Captain-General in charge of the papal armies, and he was seeking to expand his power and influence. Leonardo, meanwhile, was already a celebrated artist and engineer, having established his reputation in Florence and Milan.
Borgia recognized Leonardo's genius and sought his expertise in military engineering and architecture. He invited Leonardo to join him in Imola, where he was establishing his governance. Leonardo accepted the invitation and accompanied Borgia on his military campaigns, serving as his advisor and engineer. During this time, Leonardo created designs for fortresses, canals, and other engineering projects to support Borgia's ambitions. Their collaboration extended beyond military endeavors, as Leonardo also provided advice on artistic and cultural matters, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the Renaissance genius.
As their friendship developed, Leonardo and Borgia shared a deep mutual respect and admiration for each other's talents. Leonardo was intrigued by Borgia's strategic mind and political prowess, while Borgia valued Leonardo's artistic and scientific knowledge. They engaged in intellectual discussions, exchanged ideas, and sought each other's opinions. Their relationship went beyond a mere patron-artist association; it was a meeting of two brilliant minds that found common ground in their pursuit of knowledge and power.
While there is no concrete evidence of Leonardo creating a portrait of Cesare Borgia, their friendship and collaboration left an indelible mark on history. Leonardo's time with Borgia provided him with valuable insights into human nature, power dynamics, and the complexities of the human psyche, all of which influenced his artistic and scientific pursuits. Borgia, in turn, benefited from Leonardo's expertise and wisdom, incorporating his ideas into his strategies and vision for his dominion.
The friendship between Cesare Borgia and Leonardo da Vinci exemplifies the rich interplay between power, art, and intellect during the Italian Renaissance. While the absence of a definitive portrait of Borgia by Leonardo remains a mystery, their association continues to capture the imagination, reflecting the enduring allure of their respective legacies.
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Cesare Borgia's remains
There are several paintings and portraits of Cesare Borgia, and his image is said to bear a striking resemblance to the traditional depictions of Jesus Christ. However, the final resting place of Cesare Borgia's remains is less certain.
Cesare Borgia was a cardinal deacon and Italian condottiero, and the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI. He died on 12 March 1507, and his remains were initially buried in the church of Spain's highland town of Viana. A fine sarcophagus was placed over his grave, with an epitaph that read: "Here in little earth lies he who was feared by all, who held peace and war in his hand."
However, this burial site did not remain intact for long. Sometime between 1523 and 1608, the tomb was destroyed, and Borgia's remains were expelled from the church. Tradition holds that a Bishop of Calahorra, whose family had been persecuted by the ruthless Borgias, considered it inappropriate for the remains of "that degenerate" to lie in consecrated ground. As a result, Borgia's bones were reburied under the street in front of the church, Santa María, to be trodden on by all who passed through the town.
This state of affairs persisted until 1953, when Borgia's remains were finally reinterred immediately outside the Church of Santa María, no longer underfoot. A memorial stone was placed over the new burial site, commemorating Borgia's military rank as Generalissimo of the Papal and Navarrese forces.
In the late 1980s, there was a movement to have Borgia's remains dug up once more and returned to their original resting place inside Santa María. However, this proposal was rejected by church officials, who cited a recent ruling against the interment of anyone who did not hold the title of pope or cardinal. Since Borgia had renounced the cardinalate, it was deemed inappropriate for his bones to be moved back into the church.
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Cesare Borgia's legacy
Cesare Borgia was a key figure in the political machinations of Italy during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He was the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI and his long-term Italian mistress, Roman aristocrat Vanozza Dei Cattanei. Born on 13 September 1475, he was made a bishop at the age of 15 and a cardinal at 18. However, he fancied himself a military man and resigned his ecclesiastic profession after the death of his brother in 1498. He went on to serve as a condottiero for King Louis XII of France and occupied Milan and Naples during the Italian Wars. He also carved out a state for himself in Central Italy, but his rule was short-lived as he died at the age of 31, less than a decade after gaining power.
Borgia's legacy is a complex one. He was a notorious womanizer, fathering at least 11 illegitimate children, and his name was synonymous with libertinism and licentiousness. He was also known for his cruelty, violently dispatching those who stood in his way, including family and friends. His rule was draconian, and he was not above making false promises of amnesty to his enemies, only to have them killed.
However, Borgia was also admired by some, including the renowned Florentine historian, Niccolò Machiavelli, who devoted a significant portion of his best-known work, "The Prince", to examining Borgia's rise and fall. Machiavelli saw Borgia as a man "who showed glimpses of greatness, the kind of thing that made you think he was sent by God for the country's redemption". He also believed that Borgia's rule, though ruthless, had brought about positive change:
> [It is] much safer to be feared than loved (because) love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.
Borgia's friendship with Leonardo da Vinci may also have helped to popularise a particular depiction of Jesus that echoed Borgia's appearance. The artist's "Salvator Mundi", created around the same time that da Vinci was employed by Borgia, bears a striking resemblance to the Italian politician.
Finally, Borgia's legacy extends beyond his lifetime, with his bones becoming the subject of much intrigue. They were dug up twice in the 19th and 20th centuries and were even subjected to forensic examination. After being reburied outside the Church of Santa María, a movement emerged in the late 1980s to have them moved back inside the church, but this proposal was ultimately rejected by church officials.
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Cesare Borgia's family
Cesare Borgia was born in Subiaco, Papal States (now in Lazio, Italy) in either 1475 or 1476. He was the son of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (later Pope Alexander VI) and his mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei (or Vannozza Catanei). The Borgia family originated from the Kingdom of Valencia and rose to prominence in the mid-15th century. Cesare's great-uncle Alphonso Borgia was bishop of Valencia and was elected Pope Callixtus III in 1455. Cesare's father, Pope Alexander VI, was the first pope to openly recognise his children born out of wedlock.
Cesare was the oldest of four children born to Vannozza and Rodrigo, with three younger siblings: Juan (or Giovanni), Lucrezia, and Jofré (or Gioffre). Juan was duke of Gandía and commander of the papal army. Cesare was rumoured to be behind his brother's mysterious assassination in 1497, which would have opened up the military career that Cesare himself desired. Cesare and Juan also shared a mistress, Sancha of Aragon, who was the wife of their younger brother, Gioffre. Cesare was a notorious womaniser and had 11 known illegitimate children.
Cesare's father becoming pope in 1492 changed his fortunes. He became an archbishop and was made a cardinal in 1493, becoming one of his father's principal advisers. However, he was better known for his lavish lifestyle than for his ecclesiastical duties. After his father's death and the election of a rival pope, Cesare was overthrown.
Cesare Borgia has been portrayed in various works of fiction, including the 2011 TV series "Borgia", where he is portrayed by Mark Ryder, and in the song "Cantarella" by Hatsune Miku & KAITO.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear exactly how many portraits of Cesare Borgia were painted during his lifetime and after his death. However, there are a few notable paintings of Cesare Borgia that still exist today.
One of the most famous portraits of Cesare Borgia is the one produced by the northern Italian painter Altobello Melone in the early 16th century. This painting is now displayed at the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo. Another existing portrait of Cesare Borgia is the one in the Palazzo Venezia in Rome, dating from around 1500 to 1510.
Yes, Cesare Borgia's friendship with Leonardo da Vinci may have helped to popularize a particular depiction of Jesus that echoed Cesare's appearance. Leonardo da Vinci's painting Salvator Mundi from around 1500 is thought to be one such example.
Yes, Cesare Borgia's appearance may have also influenced the iconic depiction of Jesus Christ with long brown hair, a brown beard, and a noble face. This resemblance has been noted in various artworks, such as the icon of Christ Pantocrator at St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai.
Cesare Borgia was a significant figure in Renaissance Italy, known for his political ambitions and military campaigns. He was the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI and rose to power as a cardinal and commander of the papal armies. His life and rise to power inspired Niccolò Machiavelli's renowned work, "The Prince".
