Portrait of Giovanni de¡¦ Medici, called Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, c. 1565, Attributed to Carlo Portelli, Italian (Tuscany), Italian (Tuscany), c. 1510¡V1574, 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¡V1526), 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 Charles¡¦s 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¡Kgreat 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 injuries, Giovanni¡¦s right leg was amputated below the knee, likely the result of a cannonball hit. Gangrene followed, which killed the soldier after an agonizing three days.