His life ended sadly, for he became totally blind.

In addition to his painting he was a mathematician of much repute.

The Duke of Urbino here depicted is Federigo da Montefeltro, who ruled from 1444 to 1482, and in 1459 married as his second wife a daughter of Alessandro Sforza, of Pesaro, the wedding being the occasion of Piero's pictures.

The duke stands out among the many Italian lords of that time as a humane and beneficent ruler and collector, and eager to administer well.

He was a born fighter, and it was owing to the loss of his right eye and the fracture of his noble old nose that he is seen here in such a determined profile against the lovely light over the Umbrian hills.