Portrait of Francesco Sassetti

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In this marble bust, once attributed to Antonio Rossellino but now recognized as a work by Verrocchio due to its distinctive style, the artist portrays the affluent Florentine merchant dressed in attire characteristic of ancient Roman portraiture. At the same time, he emphasizes the unique characteristics of Sassetti's physiognomy, meticulously carving intricate details such as the shadow of a beard, deep lines on the forehead and cheeks, and a notably receding hairline. Furthermore, beyond capturing the physical likeness in the portrait, the artist has also conveyed Sassetti's personality through the movement of his face: his slightly furrowed eyebrows and piercing gaze, which reveals the color of his pupils, render his expression remarkably intense and probing, making this bust one of the most captivating examples of fifteenth-century portraiture.