Portrait of Giovanni de Medici, called Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, c. 1565, Attributed to Carlo Portelli, Italian (Tuscany), Italian (Tuscany), c. 1510-1574, 53 5/8 x 41 3/8 in. (136.21 x 105.09 cm) (panel), Oil on panel, Italy, 16th century, Giovanni dalle Bande Nere (1498-1526), a celebrated condottiere of the papal mercenary forces, fought the invasion of the Italian peninsula by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Giovanni died the year before Charless troops sacked Rome, in a battle outside Mantua. His remains were recently exhumed as part of an archaeological survey of the Medici family tombs. The study described the 28-year-old as 'a vigorous man, with an athletic body, medium-sized skull, narrow nose…great physical strength and robusticity.' The muscles in his shoulders, legs, and feet confirmed he 'was a highly skilled horseman,' while the wear and tear in his hips and back indicated he 'had carried heavy loads since adolescence due to horse-riding and body armor.' Among many i