Portret van Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri 1674

This is Johann Alexander Böner’s print of Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri. The circular form of the portrait is immediately striking, composed of a series of concentric lines that frame the cardinal's likeness, drawing our eye to his face. Böner's technique employs hatching and fine lines to sculpt the forms, creating a delicate interplay of light and shadow. The texture of the cardinal’s robes is carefully rendered, conveying a sense of depth and materiality. The choice of monochrome emphasizes the graphic nature of the print, focusing our attention on the linear elements and their arrangement. The portrait is more than a mere depiction, it's an assertion of power and status within the visual language of the Church. The carefully inscribed text at the bottom functions as a semiotic key, identifying the sitter and his high ecclesiastical rank. Böner’s manipulation of line and form not only captures a likeness but also communicates the subject's identity.