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Francesco Alidosi (1455–1511) was an Italian cardinal and condottiero. He accompanied Giuliano della Rovere to France in 1494, and continued to serve him when della Rovere became Pope Julius II. Alidosi was elected the bishop of Mileto in 1504, and was transferred to the see of Pavia in 1505. He exerted much influence over the pope, who put great trust in him; however, he also made many enemies. In 1510, he was accused of high treason, but persuaded the pope that Francesco Maria I della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, was in fact the guilty party. The duke was infuriated and had Alidosi killed by his troops.
This oil-on-panel painting, entitled Portrait of a Cardinal, was painted by Italian Renaissance artist Raphael around 1510; the identity of the sitter is uncertain, but may be Alidosi. The work is in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.Painting credit: Raphael