From the top of Laura Pisani's elaborate headdress to her golden hair, shimmering sleeves, and the carpet draping her desk, this portrait abounds with pattern and texture. While the painter remains unidentified, the construction of the sitter's face reflects the influence of Dosso Dossi's bold style.

This anonymous painter in Dossi's circle depicted his female sitter with respect. By modeling her face as if it were sculpture and pointing her gaze directly at the viewer, the painter gave her a commanding presence. The serious setting--a carpet-covered table with an inkwell and paper--and, most importantly, the pen in her hand imply her status as a literate woman.

The inscription on the paper, "LAV. PISI ANNOR XX MDXXV," provides a number of clues to the viewer: it identifies the sitter, gives her age as twenty, and also tells the date the painting was finished. More than one Laura Pisani lived in Venice in 1525, but all were members of the important Pisani family, which included doge, cardinals, writers, bankers, ambassadors, and friends of Galileo Galilei.