Portrait of Napoleone Orsini II Gm-00042801

Attributed to Bernardino Capitelli (Italian, 1589–1639) A portrait of the soldier and nobleman Napoleone Orsini II fills the center of this tondo, while his name and titles wrap around the edge of the scene. Obviously proud of his soldierly accomplishments, Orsini appears in his armor. Interspersed among the foliage around the border, the unknown artist also included various military regalia such as rifles, flags, and a banner inscribed in Latin In hostes-- perhaps the Orsini family motto.

The design was probably intended as decoration for an object such as a maiolica plate. The thematic organization is typical of presentation bowls, which were sometimes commissioned as gifts or to commemorate a specific event.