The portrait of Pope Paul III

This is the portrait of Pope Paul III (1468-1549), born Alessandro Farnese, and it's a copy of the famous painting that Titian painted nine years after the election of the pope and which is currently kept in Naples in the Capodimonte Museum. Paul III, 75 years old but still vivacious, is portrayed in the center of the picture in the act of turning his severe gaze towards the observer. He' s sitting on a large bedroom armchair upholstered in red velvet, his left hand is resting on the armrest and his right hand is placed on a crimson bag with a pastoral ring that is displayed to flaunt his prestigious rank. The gray beard and mustache hide the thin and tight lips, the nose is prominent, the penetrating gaze emerges from the face hollowed by the years. The Pope wears the mozzetta, a red cape with hood, lined with ermine and buttoned in the center, with wide sleeves and tail; this was a garment exclusevely reserved for high prelates and the pontiff. Under the mozzetta the clarity of the dress stands out.