Identity of the sitter Portrait of a Lady in Yellow

portrait federico da montefeltro, piero della francesca, c. 1465–70. in portrait, duke shown in profile not because of influence of classical art, because right eye had been injured in battle.

the identity of sitter remains uncertain , art historians have looked clues in pattern in sleeve. undoubtedly heraldic design, 3 palm leaves, 2 dark feathers bound ribbon, have represented coat of arms of family or suitor s. given finery of costume , jewels, noblewoman.

dutchess of urbino, piero della francesca, c. 1465–70. note resemblance of nose of sitter s in baldovinetti s portrait.

it first suggested in 1924, largely based on coat of arms, may francesca degli stati, wife of angelo galli (d. 1459) minor poet , diplomat urbino. francesca celebrated in 1445 uncovering plot against federico da montefeltro, duke of urbino, wife portrayed in piero della francesca lead mis-attribution. emblem of galli family identified in june 1443 letter consisting of tre penne (three pens), may reference feathers writing instruments, though baldovinetti s portrait shows two, not three.

there further link in palm leaves, decorative motif homes of members of family, , main palazzo in borgo di valbona, urbino known palazzo della palme. in 1599, family changed name palma.