Diptych of the Dukes of Urbino

1465-66 - Tempera on panel, 47 x 33 cm - Galleria degli Uffizi, Firenze

In these two relatively small panels, Piero created a rather difficult and complicated composition, never tried before. Behind the profiles of the two characters, whose iconographic style reminds of the heraldic tradition of painting portraits on medals, the artist added an extraordinary landscape that extends in depth and fades in the foggy distance. The relationship between the landscape and the portraits is very tight and symbolic: the solemn profiles dominate the painting as the two characters dominated their vast possessions. The abrupt passage from one perspective level to the other is a sign of the courage expressed in this composition.
Piero's ability in representing the volumes combines with his attention to details. His skilful use of light effects produces a miniature description of Battista Sforza'a jewels and of the wrinkles and nevus on Federico's olive complexion.
The Dukes' portraits, probably painted in 1465 -'66 or in 1474, were taken to Florence in 1631, together with the artistic patrimony of the last member of the Della Rovere family. Until the 19th century they were thought to portray Petrarch and Laura or Sigismondo Malatesta and Isotta.