Portrait of Margherita Paleologo

Giulio Romano had been Raphael's most important pupil, and after his master's death he left Rome to run the artistic life of one small, brilliant court, that of the Gonzaga dukes at Mantua. This is almost certainly their new duchess. In 1531 Federico Gonzaga married Margherita Paleologo, and she is shown here in heavy black silk laced over a pale crimson gown, an elaborate headdress framing her face. Look past her into the room behind and a small scene plays out: a maidservant is opening the door to three visitors, two fashionable women and a nun. Giulio would go on to design nearly everything at that court, from the frescoes of the Palazzo Te to the silver on its tables.