Portret van Bertrand de Montfavès 1660

This is Etienne Picart’s print of Bertrand de Montfavès, made sometime between 1632 and 1721. Picart was working during a period of significant religious and political upheaval in Europe, with the Catholic Church playing a central role in these power dynamics. Portraits like this one served to reinforce the status and authority of religious figures. Notice how Montfavès is presented within an oval frame, reminiscent of ancient Roman portraiture, a visual cue that invites us to consider the cardinal’s power. Bertrand de Montfavès held the title of Cardinal Deacon, a role of considerable influence within the Catholic Church. This portrait captures not just an individual likeness but also the embodiment of religious authority. It offers a glimpse into the hierarchies of the 17th and 18th centuries, where identity was deeply intertwined with religious affiliation and status. We are left to consider the complex relationships between faith, power, and representation.