Portrait of Cardinal Granvelle
- Artist: Scipione (il Gaetano) Pulzone
- Date: 1576
- Medium: oil on copper
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the “Portrait of Cardinal Granvelle” painted in 1576 by Scipione (il Gaetano) Pulzone. It depicts Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle, one of the most powerful political figures of his era, serving as a trusted adviser to Philip II of Spain. The portrait captures him with a composed, dignified expression, typical of a statesman whose influence extended beyond courtly intrigue into the realm of art patronage. Granvelle was an avid collector; among his holdings was Pieter Bruegel’s “Landscape with the Flight into Egypt,” illustrating the depth of his cultural interests.
What makes this work stand out is its medium and support. Pulzone chose oil on copper, a costly material rarely employed for works of this size. The metallic surface amplifies the richness of the colours, lending the cardinal’s garments a luminous quality that would have been impossible on canvas or wood. The copper backing also offers a smoother, more durable surface, allowing finer detail and subtle shading that convey the sitter’s gravitas. Though expensive, the choice underscores Pulzone’s ambition to create a lasting, visually striking record of one of the 16th‑century’s most influential figures.
See it in person
Portrait of Cardinal Granvelle hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
