'Bust of a Woman' (c. 1470–1480) by Andrea del Verrocchio

Assistant Curator Giulio Dalvit celebrates the 50th episode of "Cocktails with a Curator" by considering a marble bust by the fifteenth-century artist Francesco Laurana. The bust has no wrinkles or defects and almost seems composed not of flesh but of perfect geometrical shapes. While some have suggested it is an ideal portrait of feminine beauty, it is traditionally identified with the Italian noblewoman Ippolita Maria Sforza or with her daughter, Isabella of Aragon, Duchess of Milan. Look for this enigmatic sculpture in a gallery on the third floor of Frick Madison showcasing three exceedingly rare portrait busts of the Italian Renaissance.