ANSALDO, Giovanni Andrea
(b. 1584, Voltri, d. 1638, Genova)

Allegory of the Crowning of Ferdinando II de' Medici

1629
Oil on canvas, 106 x 97 cm
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence

The painting is an allegory of the crowning of the young Grand Duke Ferdinando II. His father died in 1621 while the prince was still a child, and he became Grand Duke on coming of age in 1629. His mother Maria Maddalena of Austria and his grandmother, Cristina of Lorraine acted as regents during this lengthy period.