Baldinucci drew mostly portraits of his friends, all in roughly the same format. He combined delicate lines with subtle additions of red chalk to capture their likeness and showcase his draughtsmanship. This drawing, with its high degree of finish, was almost certainly intended as a presentation piece or a gift.

Baldinucci was an important artistic figure in 17th century Florence. He was employed as curator of the Medici family art collection, and published several books focussing on artists’ biographies.