A bad habit Renaissance painters had was painting people they knew into the scenes they painted. Not usually the central character, but the extras.
I’m sure the patron would be pleased if their mug or their child’s mug was included as a benefit.........................
Or their dog....................
In the Renaissance, it was the patrons who who were the artistic force behind the work so, incorporating them or other influential members of their families, was a reminder to all who had paid for the work of art and to show themselves as participants in the projects. The production of art and architecture was a complex process, from costs to material, size and subject of the work, location etc. Thanks to these patronages we still can admire the great works of these artists.