Bust portrait of Pope Pius V in profile facing left set within an elaborate architectural structure upon which sit allegorical figures including Faith, Charity and Religion above and Justice and Prudence below who flank St Michael 1567

Editor: This is a print from 1567 by Mario Cartaro, a "Bust portrait of Pope Pius V..." It is extremely intricate and filled with figures. It seems like a monument to the Pope, but what really strikes me is the way it layers meanings with all those allegorical figures around him. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This work is steeped in cultural memory. Observe how Pope Pius V is presented not just as an individual, but enveloped by symbols of Faith, Charity, Religion, Justice, and Prudence. They are consciously referencing virtues, constructing and reinforcing the Pope’s image. Even St. Michael slaying a demon at the bottom can be seen as a symbol of good overcoming evil. What continuities can you trace to this image of Papal authority today? Editor: I suppose you still see similar iconography, though less overtly, in portraits of religious figures today – a kind of visual language for authority. But it feels less...direct now, more symbolic and less literal. Curator: Precisely. This print uses visual cues that would have been immediately recognized and deeply understood at the time. Each figure, each placement, carries immense cultural and psychological weight. It reflects an age where imagery was a powerful tool for communicating complex ideas to a broad audience. The goal isn't just representation, but transformation and influence. What feeling is the image hoping to stir up in viewers, considering this potent combination of symbolic figures? Editor: Awe, definitely awe, and maybe even fear...of not adhering to these values. Curator: An excellent insight. We can begin to unpack the past simply by exploring these clues through visual symbols. Editor: It is like a coded language. I will never look at religious art quite the same way again!