Portret van paus Adrianus VI 1657 - 1707

Hendrik Bary’s portrait of Pope Adrian VI, an engraving, presents us with a study in power and piety. Dominating the composition is Adrian, adorned in papal vestments, symbols of his spiritual authority. Note the figures flanking him, the allegorical representations of virtues and perhaps warnings, framing the pontiff in a visual discourse about his reign. Consider, for instance, how similar figures appear in ancient Roman sculptures, their gestures and attributes echoing across centuries, yet molded by new cultural imperatives. The motif of figures embodies traits that can be found in depictions of classical gods and heroes. These archetypes reappear throughout history, subtly shifting in meaning as they are reinterpreted through the lens of successive eras. There is a potent emotional element, too, in the gravitas of Adrian’s expression, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, as the symbols speak to a deep-seated understanding of authority and morality. In that, the non-linear progression of symbols—their resurfacing and evolution across time—reveals the complex interplay between past and present, and between collective memory and individual experience.