Portret van Jacopo Strada 1861 - 1889

William Unger made this print of Jacopo Strada. This artwork is a window into the world of the 16th-century art market. Strada, an Italian polymath, was a key figure in the cultural and economic exchange of art. He was an art dealer, architect, goldsmith, and numismatist, epitomizing the Renaissance ideal of the learned courtier, who advised powerful families in Europe on their art collections. In this portrait, we see a man of wealth and influence, surrounded by objects that speak to his varied interests. He is seated amongst his collection of coins, statues, and books. His fur-lined coat and the ornate interior serve as visual cues to his status. To understand Strada's world, we turn to archival documents, letters, and inventories, to reveal the complex networks of patronage and commerce that shaped artistic production in the Renaissance. The meaning of art always depends on its social and institutional context.