Vittore Carpaccio
Woman Holding a Book

At around the same time as Gentile Bellini was working on his portrait of Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, Carpaccio painted this wealthy patrician lady.

Take a moment to compare the two female portraits: like Caterina Cornaro, Carpaccio's sitter is shown in three-quarter view, slightly turned away from the viewer. Her priceless brocade gown is trimmed with gold braid and a row of pearls. She's wearing a beaded cap, from which a few strands of her parted hair have been allowed to escape. Beneath a high forehead, her brown eyes gaze into the distance. The bridge of her nose is prominent, she has a small mouth, and her lips appear narrow above a slight double chin. Carpaccio's portrait shows a confident woman with a distinctive look.

That impression is further highlighted by the book this woman is holding. Even without knowing what the volume is about, we identify it as a sign of education. The book's gilt edging and precious clasp are echoed in the gold trim of the sitter's sumptuous gown. The filigree pattern of the book's gleaming silver cover matches the delicacy of the slightly wavy strands of hair and the rounded decorative seams of her neckline.

Small-scale portraits were very popular with the Venetian patriciate and the middle classes. Carpaccio picked up on this trend, but varied his portraits by personalising them. He'd include his sitters' hands in the picture. He'd give them attributes – like the book – and use these elements to elicit their individual characters.