Curatorial Notes
Spanish artist Pedro Berruguete spent a decade in Italy in the 1470s and 1480s, including a period in Rome during which he painted Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere from life. Here, the pope raises his hand in a gesture of benediction, blessing the viewer while meeting their gaze. Using white highlights to represent the glittering luminosity of the bejeweled garments, Berruguete accentuates Sixtus IV’s sumptuous attire, including the triregnum, or ceremonial triple crown and symbol of the papacy.
Artwork Identification
Title Portrait of Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere
Title (PT) Retrato do Papa Sisto IV della Rovere
Title (ES) Retrato del Papa Sixto IV della Rovere
Artist Pedro Berruguete
Artist Bio Pedro Berruguete (Castilian, c. 1445/1450-1503)
Date c. 1476–82
Work Type Painting
Location & Collection
Institution Cleveland Museum of Art
Source View Museum Page
License Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
