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Secondary sourcePainting

Portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli

Cristofano dell'Altissimo

A 16th-century painted portrait of Machiavelli from a series of famous men, painted by Cristofano dell'Altissimo.

A posthumous portrait showing how Machiavelli was remembered as a famous man soon after his death.

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Painting of a man in left-facing profile wearing a dark flat cap, dark gown over a red undergarment, and a red collar. Gold Latin lettering across the top reads NICOLAVS MACHIAVELLVS HISTORIAR SCRIPTOR against a dark brown background.
Cristofano dell'Altissimo, Portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli. Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, Rome.

About this source

What it is

This is a painted portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli, created by the artist Cristofano di Papi dell'Altissimo. It shows him in profile, wearing a dark flat cap and gown over a red undergarment, with Latin lettering identifying him as a writer of history. The painting is held at the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Rome.

Why it matters

This portrait belongs to a tradition of painted series depicting famous and notable men, based on an earlier collection associated with the scholar Paolo Giovio. Its existence shows that soon after his death, Machiavelli was already being remembered and honored as a significant historical figure, grouped among other illustrious men of his era.

Look closer

  • Why do you think Machiavelli is identified in the painting as a writer of history rather than as a political theorist?
  • What does the choice to paint him in profile, like a coin or medal, suggest about how he was being remembered?
  • Since this portrait was painted after Machiavelli's death, how reliable do you think it is as a record of his actual appearance?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Niccolo Machiavelli on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Niccolò Machiavelli · 10 December 1513

Title page of an early printed book, 'Discorsi di Nicolo Machiavelli, Fiorentino, sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio', with a woodcut border showing a lion's head at top and a wolf standing on a ribbon inscribed 'DISSIMILIVM INFIDA SOCIETAS' below. Handwritten marks appear in the margins.Book

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Discourses on Livy

Niccolò Machiavelli · c. 1517, published 1531

Painting of a man with short dark hair in a black cloak with red sleeves and red collar, resting one hand on a stone ledge and holding a book in the other hand against a dark brown background.Painting

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Title page of a 1556 printed edition of Machiavelli's comedy Mandragola. Large capitals read MANDRAGOLA COMEDIA FACETISSIMA DI M. NICOLO MACHIAVELLI FIORENTINO, followed by Nuovamente corretta & Ristampata. A woodcut of a mandrake plant with roots and leaves is centered between the text. At the bottom reads IN FIORENZA MDLVI.Book

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