Portraits of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino and of His Wife, Battista Sforza

The "Portraits of Federico da Montefeltro and Battista Sforza" are a pair of paintings by Piero della Francesca, created around 1473–75. These works are notable as Piero's only known portraits and are considered the earliest Italian Renaissance portraiture to feature a landscape background.1

The portraits depict Federico da Montefeltro, the ruler of Urbino, and his wife, Battista Sforza, in profile, a style reminiscent of Renaissance medals. Federico is shown realistically, including his damaged nose and skin blemishes, while Battista's depiction, possibly based on a death mask, has an ethereal quality, as she died young after bearing many children and finally a son. These paintings were likely commissioned by Federico as a memorial to his wife.1