Portret van Jean de Brogni 1727

Bernard Picart created this print of Jean de Brogni, Cardinal of Viviers, sometime between 1673 and 1733. Consider how Cardinal de Brogni’s high status within the Catholic Church is visually communicated through the careful composition and ornate details of the portrait. The deliberate arrangement of elements such as the Cardinal’s gaze directed upwards and the architectural frame subtly shapes the viewer's perception of de Brogni. It reinforces his authority, and invites contemplation on the values and beliefs upheld by religious figures in positions of power. Prints like this one often omit more complex aspects of a person’s history, presenting instead an idealized version. It encourages us to think critically about the stories we tell, and to question whose perspectives are elevated and whose are marginalized.