Portret van kardinaal Giulio Gabrielli 1658 - 1679

Giuseppe Maria Testana created this print, "Portret van kardinaal Giulio Gabrielli," using etching techniques. Observe how the portrait is framed within an oval, lending a formal structure that directs our gaze to the subject's face and attire. The controlled lines of the etching articulate the textures of the Cardinal's beard and the folds of his garments. The use of hatching and cross-hatching not only defines form but also creates tonal variations that suggest volume and depth. Positioned in each of the upper corners are heraldic symbols, which frame the cardinal and enhance the overall composition by balancing the portrait. Such a carefully constructed composition is characteristic of the period. It invites us to consider how Testana uses the semiotic system of portraiture to convey status and character within the cultural codes of 17th-century Rome. Consider this an ongoing interpretation of power, representation, and identity.