Gentile Bellini
Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus

The portrait is painted with oil on wood and measures around 60 x 50 centimetres. It is on loan from the Szépművészeti Múzeum in Budapest. 

The Queen of Cyprus is depicted here against a black background. She is depicted from the top of her head to her waist, so that her body fills almost the entire picture surface. When this picture was painted, Caterina Cornaro was 46 years old. 

The queen turns her head to the right in three-quarter profile. Her almond-shaped brown eyes are set under very narrow brows. Her gaze appears determined. She has a straight nose, a small mouth and round cheeks. Pearl earrings adorn her earlobes. Her straight brown hair is parted in the centre and disappears for the most part under a tight-fitting bonnet embroidered in gold with pearls. A crown with small spikes sits on the bonnet. The low crown band is decorated with pearls and various coloured gemstones. A transparent veil covers the cheeks and neck, with a narrow bar holding it in place on the forehead. Small weights with pearls are attached to its ends. 

Caterina Cornaro wears a wide-cut bronze-coloured brocade dress with long sleeves. A row of pearls runs along the neckline. The dress is laced under the bust. A ribbon of pearls runs around her neck and crosses over her décolleté. Its ends are connected to the row of pearls along the neckline. A small, massive necklace with a pointed pendant and a large pearl hangs around the neck of the dignified-looking woman. 

In the top left-hand corner of the picture, in a small dark red rectangle, there is a Latin inscription in gold letters. The enumeration of Caterina Cornaro's origin, name and title is followed by the sentences: "Cyprus serves me. You can see how important I am, but even greater is the hand of Gentile Bellini, who depicted me on such a small panel."

Caterina Cornaro was one of the most important women in the history of Venice.

As the daughter of a rich and respected patrician family, she was married off to the King of Cyprus at the age of 14. It was a shrewd move. For Venice, as a trading power looking to expand its influence in the eastern Mediterranean, the island of Cyprus was important. 

Four years after the wedding, which the groom had not attended in person, Caterina finally left Venice and moved to Cyprus. But less than eight months after her arrival, her husband died... and the Maritime Republic of Venice rejoiced. It forced Caterina –Queen of Cyprus – to abdicate and itself took over the administration of this strategically important island.

Caterina was compensated with a prestigious estate in the small town of Asolo near Venice. The disempowered queen lived there surrounded by scholars and artists and organised festivals with plays and tournaments.

Gentile Bellini's portrait of Caterina Cornaro dates from that period. Gentile, who was Giovanni Bellini's older brother, depicts Caterina as a very dignified individual against a background of deepest black. She's looking to one side, making no contact with us and displaying no hint of emotion. She appears as if trapped by the severity of her portrait.

Caterina Cornaro had – albeit involuntarily – helped her home city of Venice to gain control of Cyprus and set the seal on its supremacy in the eastern Mediterranean. She was deployed as a bargaining chip in a game of economic and military power. As to her individuality and personality – well, they didn't particularly matter to the portrait painter.

The piece of music you're hearing is called "Non si vedra gia mai" ("You will never see") – and is a reference to Caterina's court in Asolo. The composer, Antonio Caprioli, took passages from what's known as the "Asolani" – reflections on love set at Caterina Cornaro's court – and set them to music.

In this picture you can see Caterina Cornaro. She was one of the most important women in the history of Venice. Caterina came from a wealthy and influential family. At the age of 14, Caterina was married to the King of Cyprus.

For Venice, which wanted to strengthen its power in the Mediterranean, the island of Cyprus was very important. The wedding was celebrated in Venice without the groom. Four years later, Caterina traveled to Cyprus to live with her husband. Eight months after Caterina's arrival, the King of Cyprus died. Venice was delighted, forced Caterina to give up the throne and took control of the island.

As compensation, Caterina received an estate in the small town of Asolo near Venice. The deposed queen lived there surrounded by scholars and artists and organized festivals with plays and competitions.

The portrait of Caterina Cornaro that Gentile Bellini painted also dates from this period. Gentile was the older brother of Giovanni Bellini. He painted Caterina very dignified against a black background. She looks away, makes no contact with us and shows no emotion. She seems trapped in the strict portrait.

Through Caterina's marriage, Venice was able to control Cyprus. Caterina was used by Venice as a political bargaining chip. Her individuality and personality were not important to the painter.