Samuel Liber Baro de Cocceji 1751

Editor: So, this is Georg Friedrich Schmidt's portrait of Samuel Liber Baro de Cocceji, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels very formal and posed, almost like a monument. What can you tell me about the public role of portraits like this? Curator: Portraits like this, particularly in the 18th century, were powerful tools for constructing and reinforcing social hierarchies. Schmidt’s depiction isn’t just an image, it's a carefully crafted statement about Cocceji’s status, power, and intellect. Note the details: the architectural setting, the cherub, the text. How do these elements contribute to the overall message? Editor: It looks like he is trying to convey authority and wisdom. I hadn't thought about how staged and artificial it must all be. I see it differently now. Curator: Exactly. The portrait becomes a political act, shaping how Cocceji was perceived and remembered by the public. Reflect on how imagery then and now constructs and reinforces perceptions of power.